A nurse is caring for a client who has just learned that their partner has died by suicide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Refer the client to a support group for survivors of suicide: While referral to a support group is helpful for long-term coping, it is not the first action. Immediate assessment of the client’s emotional and cognitive response is necessary to determine acute needs before referral. B. Offer to contact the client’s family or support system: Involving support systems can be beneficial later, but the nurse must first assess the client’s mental state and understanding of the event to ensure safety and provide appropriate emotional support. C. Inform the client that feelings of guilt are often felt by survivors of suicide: Providing reassurance and education about the grieving process is therapeutic, but it should follow an assessment of the client’s emotional status to ensure the response is individualized. D. Determine the client’s understanding of the suicide events: Assessing the client’s perception and understanding of the event is the first priority. It helps the nurse evaluate the client’s coping mechanisms, risk for self-harm, and readiness to process information, guiding further interventions appropriately.