A nurse in an acute care mental health facility is caring for a client who has depression. After 3 days of treatment, the nurse notices that the client suddenly seems cheerful and relaxed and there are no longer signs of a depressive state. Which of the following interventions is appropriate to include in the plan of care?

A. Encourage family to take the client out of the facility for short periods of time: Allowing unsupervised outings at this point could be unsafe. A sudden improvement in mood does not eliminate underlying suicide risk and may actually increase it due to newfound energy. B. Ask the client why her behavior has changed: While it is important to understand mood changes, asking why may not provide reliable insight and does not address the immediate safety concern. Direct assessment of risk is more appropriate. C. Consult with the psychiatrist and recommend to discontinue the antidepressant therapy: Discontinuing medication abruptly is unsafe and should never be based solely on sudden mood improvement. Evaluation by the psychiatrist is necessary before any medication changes. D. Administer a suicide risk assessment: Sudden cheerfulness or improved mood in a client with major depressive disorder can indicate increased energy and potential for acting on suicidal thoughts. Performing a suicide risk assessment ensures immediate identification and management of potential risk.