What should a nurse do first when dealing with a client who has just lost a home and family member in a fire?

In a situation where a client has just experienced traumatic loss, particularly the loss of both a home and a family member, the priority must be ensuring the client's safety. Assessing for suicidal behaviors is crucial because individuals who have faced such profound losses may be at increased risk for self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

The immediate response should involve a thorough assessment to determine the client's mental state, including any signs of despair, hopelessness, or the presence of a plan or means to commit suicide. This assessment not only helps to identify the level of risk but also allows for appropriate interventions to be initiated swiftly to protect the client from potential harm.

While assisting the client in verbalizing feelings of grief, admitting them to a mental health unit, or assigning them to a grief counseling group are all important components of support, these actions follow the critical step of assessing for suicidal tendencies. If a client is found to have suicidal thoughts, immediate intervention and safety planning will take precedence over other therapeutic measures. Therefore, the assessment of suicidal behavior is the most vital first step in supporting a client through such a crisis.