A mother (G1 P1 T1 PO AO L1) diagnosed with postpartum depression expresses feelings of hopelessness. Which nursing diagnosis is the priority?

A. Ineffective coping is important but secondary to addressing the immediate safety of the client. B. While impaired parenting is a concern, the safety of the mother takes precedence over her ability to care for her child. C. Anxiety is a symptom but does not pose as immediate a threat to the client’s well-being as the risk of self-harm. D. Feelings of hopelessness in a mother diagnosed with postpartum depression can indicate a risk for self-harm or suicide. The priority is to ensure the client's safety, as these feelings are a critical sign of potential harm to themselves.