A 16-year-old female is brought to the emergency department by her mother after a school counselor expressed concern. The nurse notes multiple linear scars in various stages of healing on the client's inner forearms, and the client states she 'sometimes cuts' when she feels overwhelmed. During the assessment, the client becomes tearful and says, 'I don't actually want to die, I just need the pain to stop.' Which nursing action is the priority at this time?
- Apply wound dressings to the client's forearms and obtain a wound care consult.
- Educate the mother about safe storage of sharp objects in the home to reduce access to means.
- Notify the school counselor of the client's disclosure and document the referral in the medical record.
- Establish a therapeutic rapport and perform a direct suicide risk assessment, asking specifically about intent, plan, and means.