A client has not been to work in three days. When she returns to work, she is wearing dark glasses. Facial and body bruises are visible. Her supervisor takes her to the occupational nurse. Which assessment is the priority for the nurse?

Intimate partner violence involves a pattern of coercive behaviors used to maintain power and control over another individual. Clinical assessment must focus on biopsychosocial stabilization, where the nurse identifies physical markers of abuse such as ecchymosis or fractures, while evaluating for immediate lethality and the presence of a safety plan. Rationale: A. The nurse must prioritize the physiological integrity of the client according to Maslow's hierarchy. Assessing physical injuries ensures that life-threatening conditions, such as intracranial hemorrhage or internal bleeding indicated by facial bruising, are identified and treated before addressing the client's psychological needs. B. Evaluating a client's coping mechanisms is a vital component of a long-term psychiatric assessment. However, in the acute phase of a potential physical assault, determining how the client manages stress is secondary to ensuring they are medically stable and free from somatic danger. C. Emotional distress is a common sequela of trauma and must be addressed with therapeutic communication. In the initial nursing assessment, however, the priority is the stabilization of physical health, as untreated bodily injuries pose a more immediate threat to the client’s survival than emotional discomfort. D. Psychological trauma is a complex neuropsychological response to an overwhelming event. Although the nurse will eventually screen for trauma and its effects, the immediate assessment must focus on the "A-B-C" (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and physical trauma indicators to prevent further medical deterioration.