A client who has major depressive disorder states to the nurse that he and his family would be better off if he were gone. Which of the following is the nurse's priority response?

The correct answer is A: "Are you thinking of harming yourself?" This is the priority response because it directly addresses the client's expression of suicidal ideation, which is a serious concern in major depressive disorder. By asking this question, the nurse can assess the client's risk level and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the immediate safety concern of suicidal ideation. The focus should be on assessing and addressing the client's risk of harm to themselves before exploring other aspects of their feelings or experiences.