A nurse is leading a critical incident stress debriefing with a group of staff members following a mass trauma Incident. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take first?

A. The client expresses feelings of guilt.
Feelings of guilt are a common part of the grieving process. Many people may experience guilt related to things they said or didn't say, things they did or didn't do before their loved one's death. While it can be challenging, it is not necessarily a maladaptive grief response.

B. The client is unable to perform basic hygiene tasks.
This indicates a maladaptive grief response. If the client's grief has led to such severe impairment in functioning that they cannot maintain basic hygiene, it suggests an inability to cope and function in daily life, which is concerning and requires intervention and support.

C. The client gives away some of the partner's belongings.
This behavior is a common part of the grieving process. It can represent the client's attempt to let go and move on. It might also be an expression of their partner's wishes or a way to help others in need. Giving away belongings is not inherently maladaptive; it depends on the context and the individual's overall coping abilities.

D. The client relocates from a house to an apartment.
Changes in living arrangements after the loss of a loved one are often part of adapting to the new circumstances. It can be a way for the individual to reduce their responsibilities, live in a more manageable space, or seek a fresh start. Relocating, on its own, is not a maladaptive response to grief.

A. "Since injuring my knee, I've decided to become the team manager."
Option A represents an adaptive use of the ego defense mechanism known as sublimation. Sublimation is a process in which a person channels potentially negative or harmful impulses or feelings into more socially acceptable and constructive activities. In this case, the adolescent with the injured knee is using the opportunity to become the team manager, which is a positive and constructive way to stay engaged with the team despite the setback of the injury.

B. "Since my mom died, I focus all my attention on my grades."
This is an example of reaction formation, a defense mechanism where someone overemphasizes the opposite of their true feelings. In this case, the individual might be hiding or avoiding their grief by focusing on grades.

C. "I didn't tell the teacher about the bullying because it wouldn't have changed anything."
This is an example of rationalization, where the individual provides a logical-sounding but potentially inaccurate explanation for their actions. It can be a defense mechanism to justify or make more acceptable one's choices.

D. "I'm not even going to think about writing that thesis paper until after prom."
This is an example of procrastination or avoidance, which is not an ego defense mechanism but a coping or time-management strategy. It doesn't represent an adaptive use of a defense mechanism in this context.