A patient in alcohol rehabilitation reveals to the nurse. "I feel terrible guilt for sexually abusing my 6-year-old before I was admitted." Select the nurse's most important action.

A. Respecting confidentiality is important, but the nurse has a legal and ethical duty to report child abuse, even if the patient discloses it in confidence. B. Filing a report with the ethics committee does not fulfill the mandatory reporting requirement for child abuse. C. The nurse must report suspected or disclosed child abuse to the appropriate child protection agency, even if the patient is now in rehabilitation. Anonymity may be used if allowed, but reporting is legally required. D. Reassuring the patient about comfort in sharing does not address the immediate need to protect the child and fulfill mandatory reporting obligations.