A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has major depressive disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Administering an antidepressant: While medication may be part of the treatment plan, initial assessment to determine severity and safety is crucial.B. Encouraging group therapy: Group therapy can be helpful, but assessing suicide risk comes first.C. Assisting with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living): Helping with daily tasks might be needed, but assessing suicide risk is more urgent.D. Ask the client if he is considering harming himself. Suicidal ideation is a serious symptom of depression and requires immediate assessment. Safety is the top priority.