When developing the care plan for a client with acute stress disorder, what is the primary intervention the nurse should initiate?

When developing the care plan for a client with acute stress disorder, facilitating a progressive review of the accident and its consequences is a primary intervention because it allows the client to process the traumatic experience in a controlled and supportive environment. This approach helps the individual to begin integrating the event into their memory and developing coping strategies, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, hyperarousal, and avoidance that are characteristic of acute stress disorder.

By gradually discussing the incident, the nurse can help the client articulate their feelings and thoughts about the trauma. This therapeutic process encourages the client to confront their reactions rather than suppress them, promoting healing and helping to prevent the development of more severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

In contrast, simply encouraging a client to forget about the incident is counterproductive, as it may lead to increased psychological distress and avoidance behaviors. Postponing discussions may also not be beneficial, as it can delay the healing process and allow symptoms to worsen. Facilitating family counseling can be important, but it is generally not the primary intervention immediately required for someone experiencing acute stress, where individual processing of the trauma is crucial first.