When planning care for an older patient diagnosed with depression which is the priority nursing action?
1. Screening the patient for suicide risk
2. Assessing the patient for low-grade depressive symptoms
3. Assessing to distinguish depressive symptoms from a grief response
4. Promoting physical activity and maintain meaningful social connections for wellness
Answer: 1
Explanation: Screening for suicide risk is the priority intervention; older adults attempting suicide use more immediate lethal means and are more likely to be successful. Other assessment measures and health promotion activities are appropriate, but are not the priority activity when caring for older adults diagnosed with depression.
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