After a particularly stressful shift involving a major incident, a colleague appears visibly shaken and distressed. What is the most supportive initial action you can take?

Question: After a particularly stressful shift involving a major incident, a colleague appears visibly shaken and distressed. What is the most supportive initial action you can take?

Answer options:

• Tell them to 'shake it off' and focus on the next shift.
• Suggest they go home immediately without debriefing. ✅ Offer to listen, validate their feelings, and encourage them to utilize institutional support services if needed.
• Avoid discussing the incident to prevent re-traumatization.

Correct answer: Offer to listen, validate their feelings, and encourage them to utilize institutional support services if needed.

Explanation: Providing empathetic listening, validating their experience, and encouraging the use of available support services helps mitigate stress and promotes mental wellbeing after critical incidents.