A 40-year-old patient presents to the psychiatric clinic with reports of worsening anxiety and frequent panic attacks.

A 40-year-old patient presents to the psychiatric clinic with reports of worsening anxiety and frequent panic attacks. The patient’s medical records include multiple visits to various urgent cares and an increasing dose of benzodiazepines. The nurse practitioner considers possible malingering based on the patient’s inconsistent symptomatic presentation and their requests for dose increases. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step while preventing the compromise of ethical principles? Discharge the patient from the clinic due to suspected malingering Prescribe a higher dose of benzodiazepine to alleviate reported anxiety Refer the patient to an addictions specialist for benzodiazepine dependence Review the patient’s history and consult their previous nurse practitioner