A 28-year-old female client has just been admitted to the emergency department following a car accident. She is conscious but visibly shaken and displays signs of acute stress disorder. During the initial assessment, the nurse observes that the client is unable to articulate her feelings and appears to be in a state of confusion. The client's partner is present in the room and is also exhibiting signs of distress. In planning effective crisis intervention strategies for this client, which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize?