In a crisis situation, the nurse encounters a grieving spouse. What is the best action?

Sitting next to the grieving spouse and offering her some tissues represents an important aspect of therapeutic communication and support during a crisis. This action demonstrates empathy and acknowledges the spouse's pain, creating a safe environment for her to express her feelings. By sitting beside her, the nurse shows that she is present and willing to listen, which can help the grieving person feel less isolated and more supported during this challenging time.

Offering tissues also serves a practical purpose: it addresses the physical manifestation of grief, such as tears, and provides a means for the spouse to manage her emotional response. This small yet significant gesture may encourage the spouse to open up about her feelings, facilitating further communication and support.

In contrast, leaving the spouse alone might deny her the necessary support she needs in the moment, especially if she is overwhelmed with grief. Suggesting she contact a social worker may be appropriate at a later stage but does not provide immediate comfort or acknowledgment of her distress. Finally, calling for a sedative could be seen as minimizing the importance of the grieving process, as it may treat the emotional pain with medication instead of offering the human connection and support that is vital in such moments. Hence, the choice to engage actively and empathetically is essential in psychiatric nursing practice.