A male client presents with sudden inability to move his arms after witnessing a traumatic accident. What should the nurse prioritize in his assessment?

In this scenario, the priority is to assess for organic causes of loss of arm movement because the sudden onset of symptoms after a traumatic event suggests a potential medical issue that needs immediate attention. Considering the context of a traumatic accident, the client could be experiencing a neurological event such as a spinal cord injury, or a psychological response like conversion disorder.

Determining whether the loss of movement is due to a physical injury, such as an injury to the cervical spine, is crucial for guiding treatment. Prompt assessment can facilitate timely interventions that could prevent further complications and improve outcomes.

Although calling for crisis intervention support or performing range-of-motion exercises may be important in a more comprehensive care plan later, addressing the immediate physical health risks takes precedence. Documentation of the client's reported loss of movement is also essential but follows the initial assessment. The key focus initially is to ascertain what is physically happening to the client to ensure appropriate medical care is provided.