A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder repeatedly tells staff members, "I have cancer. It's my punishment for being a bad person." Diagnostic tests reveal no cancer. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.

A) Powerlessness
B) Risk for suicide
C) Stress overload
D) Spiritual distress

Major Depressive Disorder

A mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and persistent low mood that is accompanied by low self-esteem and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.

Diagnostic Tests

Procedures and tests used to identify the nature or cause of a health condition or disease.

Spiritual Distress

A state of suffering related to the impaired ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through connectedness with self, others, art, music, literature, nature, or a power greater than oneself.