A nurse notices that a colleague who was involved in a recent mass casualty incident is experiencing extreme fatigue and flashbacks. What resource should the nurse prioritize suggesting to their colleague?

The most appropriate resource for the colleague experiencing extreme fatigue and flashbacks following a mass casualty incident is critical incident stress debriefing (CISD). This intervention is specifically designed to assist individuals who have experienced traumatic events, such as mass casualties, in processing their experiences in a supportive environment.

CISD is typically conducted shortly after the traumatic event and focuses on providing a structured framework for discussing the incident, expressing feelings and thoughts, and ultimately helping individuals to process their emotions and begin to heal. It creates an opportunity for trauma survivors to share their experiences with others who have gone through similar situations, helping to normalize their reactions and facilitate recovery.

While counseling sessions may offer long-term support and may be beneficial later, they can be less immediate and responsive to the acute distress often experienced right after a traumatic event. Group therapy might also provide support but is generally more useful for ongoing issues or general mental health support rather than immediate responses to trauma. Online support forums can provide a level of connection, but they lack the structured, immediate support and interaction found in CISD, making them less effective for acute trauma responses. Therefore, critical incident stress debriefing stands out as the most aligned and effective resource in this scenario.