A client who has major depressive disorder states to the nurse that he and his family would be better off if he were gone. Which of the following is the nurse's priority response?

A. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?": Correct

This is the priority response because it directly addresses the client's statement about being better off gone, which raises concerns about potential suicidal thoughts. Asking this question allows the nurse to assess the client's risk of self-harm or suicide and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety.

B. "Do you really think your family would be better off without you?": Incorrect

While this response attempts to engage the client in a conversation, it doesn't directly address the immediate concern of suicidal thoughts. It's important to prioritize assessing the client's safety before exploring their feelings about their family's perspective.

C. "When did you first start feeling this way?": Incorrect

While understanding the client's history and the onset of their feelings is important, it's not the priority response in this situation. Assessing the client's risk of harm takes precedence over gathering historical information.

D. "Tell me what is happening right now.": Incorrect

This response doesn't directly address the client's statement about being better off gone and doesn't assess the immediate risk of self-harm or suicide. While understanding the client's current situation is valuable, safety concerns should be addressed first.

A. Antidepressants usually take several weeks to start taking effect, so the statement "I can be on my antidepressant taking three to five days to be effective" is not correct.

B. While positive thinking can play a role in managing mood, depression is a complex disorder that often requires more than just positive thoughts to treat. The statement "I can cure my depression by thinking positive thoughts" oversimplifies the condition.

C. "I will attend psychotherapy to help manage my depression."

Explanation:

Depressive disorders, including major depression, are complex conditions that typically require a multifaceted approach to treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is an important component of treating depression. It involves working with a trained therapist to explore and address the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contributing to the depression. Psychotherapy can help individuals develop coping strategies, improve problem-solving skills, and gain insight into their condition.

D. Depression is not something that can be simply chosen to be stopped voluntarily. It is a mental health disorder that often requires professional treatment and support. The statement "I need to make a voluntary choice to stop feeling depressed" does not accurately capture the nature of depression.