A nurse observes that a client who has depression is sitting alone in the room crying. As the nurse approaches, the client states, "I'm feeling really down and don't want to talk to anyone right now." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. "Tell me who you think doesn't care about you."

Explanation: This response might come across as confrontational or defensive, which could discourage the client from opening up further. It's important to offer support and understanding rather than putting the client on the spot.

B. "Of course people care. Your family comes to visit every day."

Explanation: While it's true that the client's family visits, depression often distorts perception and emotions. Telling the client that people care might not be fully effective in addressing their feelings of worthlessness.

C. "Why do you feel that way?"

Explanation: This response opens the door for the client to express their emotions and thoughts. It encourages further conversation and helps the nurse understand the underlying causes of the client's feelings.

D. "I care about you, and I am concerned that you feel so sad."

Explanation: Correct Answer. This response shows empathy and genuine concern for the client's well-being. It acknowledges the client's emotions, offers support, and validates their feelings.

A. "I can see that you trust me, but you should share those feelings with your psychiatrist, not me."

While encouraging the client to discuss their feelings with a mental health professional is important, this response does not address the immediate safety concern presented by the client's intent to harm others.

B. "I will not violate our nurse-client relationship. The information we discuss will remain confidential between us."

This response is inappropriate because it implies that the nurse will keep the information confidential, even though the client's statement raises concerns about the safety of others.

C. "Because you are a minor, I have to share any information that I feel is important with your parents."

While parents may have the right to be informed about their minor child's well-being, this situation goes beyond parental involvement. The nature of the threat requires immediate intervention from appropriate professionals and authorities.

"D. I cannot promise that. I must share this information with other members of the team who are responsible for planning your care."

Explanation: The client's statement about having a desire to harm others, especially classmates and a school teacher, raises significant concerns about the safety and well-being of not only the client but also the potential victims. In cases where the client poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, the nurse has a duty to breach confidentiality to ensure the safety of all involved parties. This response conveys the nurse's ethical obligation to involve other members of the treatment team and appropriate authorities to address the potential threat.