A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a situational crisis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Referrals may be appropriate but are not the first priority. B. Teaching coping skills is important but follows safety assessment. C. Encouraging support systems is beneficial but not the immediate priority. D. The first priority in any crisis is to assess for safety, including thoughts of self-harm. Ensuring the client is not at risk for harming themselves is the most critical initial step.