The feeling experienced by a patient that should be assessed by the nurse as most predictive of elevated suicide risk is

A. Anger is a common emotion in psychiatric patients but is less predictive of suicide risk. B. Elation may occur in some mood disorders but is not strongly associated with imminent suicide risk. C. Hopelessness is the feeling most strongly correlated with suicidal ideation and attempts, making it a key predictor for elevated suicide risk. D. Sadness is a symptom of depression but alone does not reliably predict suicide risk without accompanying hopelessness.