An adult outpatient diagnosed with major depressive disorder has a history of several suicide attempts by overdose. Given this patient's history and diagnosis, which antidepressant medication would the nurse expect to be prescribed to this patient?

A. "I hate all of you!" –This reflects the patient’s anger and hostility, which is expected after being restrained. While it requires therapeutic communication, it does not signal a medical emergency.

B. "The other patient started the fight." – This statement is defensive and attempts to shift blame. Although it provides insight into the patient’s thought process, it is not urgent from a physiological standpoint.

C. "You wait until I tell my lawyer." – This reflects frustration and a threat of legal action. It is important for documentation and de-escalation but does not require immediate clinical intervention.

D. "My fingers are tingly." – This is the highest priority because it indicates impaired circulation or nerve compression related to the restraints. Tingling, numbness, coolness, or pallor are warning signs that restraints are too tight or causing neurovascular compromise. This can lead to permanent injury if not corrected promptly.

A. "My family will be better off without me" is an indirect or covert suicidal statement (passive ideation) that suggests the patient believes others would be better off if they were gone. Such remarks require immediate assessment of suicide risk (ask directly about thoughts, intent, plan, access to means) and appropriate safety interventions.
B. "Life is not worth living" is an explicit expression of hopelessness and indicates suicidal ideation, but it is more overt than covert. It still warrants urgent assessment, but the question asked specifically for the covert message.
C. "I wish I were dead" is a direct statement of suicidal desire (overt) rather than a covert hint.
D. "I have a plan that will fix everything" is the most concerning because it indicates a specific plan (high lethality risk), but it is overt rather than covert.