As a medical assistant, you notice that a patient appears withdrawn and has recently expressed feelings of hopelessness during their visit. When screening for risk factors associated with self-harm, which of the following actions should you prioritize to best align with the established protocols?
Wait until the end of the day to discuss the patient's behavior with the healthcare team.
Document your observations in the patient's record and continue with routine tasks.
Inform the provider immediately about your observations and concerns.
Advise the patient to seek counseling without further consultation from the provider.