The nurse is admitting a patient with an extensive mental health history. The nurse’s knowledge of which system guides intervention planning?

The nurse in the emergency department is obtaining a medical history from a female patient. Her husband answers the nurse’s questions before the patient can respond. The patient is quiet, trembling, and the nurse notes bruising to her face and arms. How does the nurse proceed?

Following an assault by an unknown assailant, the patient is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Which intervention must be implemented first for this patient?