A nurse practitioner in an outpatient clinic is evaluating an 84-year-old patient whose spouse passed away from pancreatic

A nurse practitioner in an outpatient clinic is evaluating an 84-year-old patient whose spouse passed away from pancreatic cancer a month ago. They had been married for 63 years. The patient tells the nurse practitioner they have thoughts “many times” throughout the day that they “want to join their spouse in heaven.” The patient has insulin-dependent diabetes and reports, “I know how much insulin to take so that I fall asleep forever.” The patient is living with their adult child but has not discussed with them their thoughts of suicide. The patient tells the nurse practitioner that they do not intend to die by suicide and that they “would not do that to my child.” The patient does not want to go to the hospital at this time. They wish to stay at home. What is the best next step for the nurse practitioner? Call the police and have the patient involuntarily committed to an inpatient facility Contact the adult child and inform them about the patient’s desire to overdose on insulin Have the adult child take the patient to the ED for further evaluation Obtain permission from the patient to speak with the adult child about their thoughts