A nurse is caring for a client who has alcohol use disorder and is experiencing withdrawal. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority?

A. Support the client’s coping skills. While important, safety takes precedence in the acute phase. B. Prevent the client from harming herself or others. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to agitation, hallucinations, or seizures, making safety the nurse's priority. C. Identify the use of defense mechanisms. This is part of long-term treatment, not immediate care. D. Develop goals for treatment. Goal-setting is essential for long-term management but is not the priority during acute withdrawal.