A nurse is assessing a newly admitted client who states that they do not want to live anymore and plan to end their life. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Allow the client time alone to self-reflect. Leaving a suicidal client alone poses a risk of self-harm. Continuous monitoring is required. B. Encourage the client to focus on the positive aspects of life. While positivity is helpful later, this response minimizes the client’s suicidal ideation and fails to assess immediate risk. C. Ask the client about the lethality of their plan. This is essential for determining the level of suicide risk. Asking directly about suicidal intent, plan, and means is critical. D. Reassure the client that everything is going to work out. This is false reassurance, which can shut down communication and invalidate the client's distress.