A patient has a disorder which causes progressive,severe muscle pain and weakness,and she has curtailed physical and social activities to accommodate her condition.She tells the nurse "I cannot do anything.I have to depend on other people to help me.I do not enjoy much of anything anymore;even food does not taste good.I cannot see that my situation will change,so I feel pretty hopeless." The priority action the nurse should take is to:

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The patient is at risk for depression due to having a chronic,deteriorating illness and resulting accumulating losses.She also displays hopelessness.These factors make the need for a thorough assessment for depression and suicide essential.Depression that goes unrecognized and untreated is often responsible for worsening the medical condition and diminishing functional abilities.The other options are not priorities and/or nontherapeutic.

A Patient Has a Disorder Which Causes Progressive,severe Muscle Pain