What is the priority question for a nurse to ask a client who seems very depressed and has expressed feelings of worthlessness?

In situations where a client exhibits signs of severe depression and expresses feelings of worthlessness, the priority for the nurse is to assess the risk of suicide or self-harm. Asking if the client is thinking about hurting themselves directly addresses this crucial safety concern and allows the nurse to evaluate the level of risk the client may be facing.

Addressing suicidal thoughts or intentions is essential in mental health care because clients expressing worthlessness may also feel hopeless and might see no way out of their distressing situation. This question opens the door for further assessment of the client’s mental state and helps ensure that appropriate interventions are initiated to keep the client safe.

The other options, while they may facilitate conversation and understanding, do not prioritize immediate safety. They could lead to insights about the client’s feelings but do not directly evaluate the critical concern of potential self-harm or suicidal ideation. The primary focus must always be on assessing and ensuring the safety of the client in such scenarios.