When using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) tool, the PMHNP screens for alcohol use by asking which of the following questions?

Choice A reason: These questions align with validated alcohol screening tools such as the AUDIT and NIAAA guidelines. They quantify drinking patterns and help identify risky behaviors, making them appropriate for the SBIRT framework. Choice B reason: While these questions may provide insight into drinking habits, they are not part of standardized screening tools and lack the specificity needed for clinical assessment under SBIRT. Choice C reason: These questions are more appropriate for assessing readiness to change or dependence severity but are not primary screening questions in SBIRT. Choice D reason: These questions explore social consequences and polysubstance use but are not standard initial screening items in SBIRT. They may be useful in follow-up assessments.