A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder and states that he has given away his personal belongings. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A reason: Saying everyone feels down minimizes the client’s action—giving away belongings—a potential suicide warning in depression. It dismisses severity, lacking empathy or assessment. This generic response risks missing critical intent, so it’s not therapeutic or safe. Choice B reason: Asking about recent feelings invites the client to elaborate, assessing depression depth and suicide risk after giving away belongings, a red flag. It’s open-ended, empathetic, and aligns with safety screening in MDD, making it the most appropriate response. Choice C reason: Asking why about belongings focuses narrowly, potentially shutting down broader discussion of feelings or intent in depression. It risks defensiveness, missing the bigger picture of suicide risk. This less effective probe isn’t the priority over general assessment. Choice D reason: Suggesting a support group assumes a solution without exploring the client’s state, bypassing immediate risk evaluation after a concerning act. It’s premature, not addressing potential danger in MDD. This lacks urgency, so it’s not the best choice.