A nurse is caring for an older adult client. The client's family member states, "They no longer participate in social events like they used to." Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Introduction: Late-life depression often presents as social withdrawal or anhedonia rather than overt sadness, requiring a standardized assessment to differentiate normal aging from clinical depression. A. Referring the client to a gerontologist is an appropriate collaborative step for comprehensive diagnostic workups. However, according to the nursing process, the nurse must first collect objective and subjective data through assessment before initiating a referral, ensuring that the specialist receives a clear clinical picture of the client's status. B. Assessing the client using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is the first action because social withdrawal is a cardinal sign of depression in older adults. The GDS is a validated tool that helps the nurse quantify the severity of symptoms and establish a baseline for nursing interventions and diagnoses. C. Reviewing community center activities is a tertiary intervention aimed at increasing social engagement. Providing information about activities is premature until the underlying cause of the withdrawal is identified. If the client is suffering from clinical depression, they may lack the motivation or energy to participate in such events. D. Reviewing current prescription medications is a necessary component of the assessment because certain drugs can cause depressive symptoms or lethargy as side effects. While important, it is secondary to performing a direct assessment of the client's mental status and mood using a specific evidence-based screening tool like the GDS.