A nurse is leading a crisis intervention group for adolescents who witnessed the suicide of a classmate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. While referrals to additional support services are important, they are not the first step in crisis intervention. The initial priority is to address immediate emotional needs in the group. B. Confidentiality is important in group therapy, but discussing it after the group members' immediate emotional needs are addressed would be more appropriate. The first step should be to provide emotional support. C. While providing information about community resources is helpful, the first priority is to ensure the adolescents feel supported and safe in expressing their emotions. D. Identifying prior coping skills is the first step in crisis intervention. It helps the adolescents process their trauma and can provide a foundation for developing strategies to manage their current emotional distress.