What should be the nurse's initial action when a toddler with autism runs to the wall and starts banging their head?

In the situation where a toddler with autism is running to a wall and banging their head, the initial action should prioritize the child's safety. Restraining the toddler helps to prevent potential head injury, which is critical because head banging can result in serious harm.

It is essential for caregivers and healthcare professionals to be vigilant in such scenarios, particularly with children who may have difficulty expressing their emotions or needs through conventional means. Restraining the toddler safely can help to redirect their behavior away from harm while ensuring they are not left to injure themselves.

While it is important to understand and address the underlying feelings or triggers for the behavior, the immediate concern must be the physical safety of the child. Other approaches, such as allowing the child to act out feelings or discussing the behavior's unacceptability, while valuable in different contexts, may not adequately address the urgent need to prevent injury when the child is actively engaging in dangerous behavior.