A patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and a history of self-mutilation has now begun dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on an outpatient basis. Counseling focuses on self-harm behavior management. Today the patient telephones to say, Im feeling empty and want to cut myself. The nurse should:
a. arrange for emergency inpatient hospitalization.
b. send the patient to the crisis intervention unit for 8 to 12 hours.
c. assist the patient to identify the trigger situation and choose a coping strategy.
d. advise the patient to take an antianxiety medication to decrease the anxiety level.