A nurse is caring for a child whose guardians report that the child is consistently unable to speak during class and other social situations. The nurse should identify that the child is experiencing which of the following anxiety disorders?

Choice A reason: Separation anxiety disorder involves excessive distress when separated from caregivers, but the key feature here is lack of speech in specific settings. Choice B reason: Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult, not selective inability to speak. Choice C reason: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry in many areas of life, not persistent mutism in social contexts. Choice D reason: Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a child consistently fails to speak in certain settings, like school, despite being able to speak in others, making this the correct diagnosis.