A client arrives at a mental health clinic and tells a nurse they have no purpose in life. Which of the following is the nurse's priority response?

Choice A reason: Asking the client if they are thinking of harming themselves is the priority because it directly assesses suicide risk. When a client expresses hopelessness or lack of purpose, the nurse must first determine if there is an immediate danger to the client’s safety. Suicide risk assessment is always the highest priority in mental health care, as it addresses potential life-threatening concerns before exploring underlying issues. Choice B reason: Asking how long the client has been feeling this way provides useful background information but is not the priority. Duration of symptoms helps in understanding chronicity and severity, but it does not immediately address whether the client is at risk of self-harm. Safety must be established first before exploring the timeline of feelings. Choice C reason: Asking the client if they really think their life has no purpose is not therapeutic. This phrasing can sound judgmental or dismissive, potentially invalidating the client’s feelings. It does not promote open communication and may discourage the client from sharing further. The nurse should avoid questioning the validity of the client’s emotions and instead focus on assessing risk and providing support. Choice D reason: Asking what kind of thoughts the client is having is helpful for exploring cognitive patterns, but it is secondary to assessing immediate safety. While understanding thought content is important in mental health evaluation, the priority is to determine if suicidal ideation is present. Once safety is established, the nurse can explore the client’s thoughts in more detail to guide further interventions.