A client demonstrates acute anxiety in the hospital while being treated for hyperglycemia. Which intervention would best decrease anxiety?

• A. Make sure the client knows all the correct medical terms so that he or she can understand what is happening.
• B. Convey empathy, trust, and respect toward the client.
• C. Administer a sedative.
• D. Ignore the signs and symptoms of anxiety so that they will soon disappear.

Answer: (B)

When someone is acutely anxious in the hospital, the most effective approach is to convey empathy, trust, and respect. This kind of supportive, patient-centered communication helps the person feel seen and understood, reduces the perceived threat of being hospitalized, and gives a sense of control over what’s happening. That emotional safety supports cooperation with treatment and makes it easier to explain what will occur next in clear, compassionate terms. It also can calm the body’s stress response, which is important because anxiety can affect glucose control and the overall treatment process. While providing information is important, delivering it with warmth and without jargon prevents overwhelming the patient and helps them feel engaged rather than frightened. Using a sedative might be appropriate in some situations, but it doesn’t address the underlying emotional state and can mask distress or complicate assessment. Ignoring anxiety is never appropriate, as acknowledging and addressing it is essential to safe, effective care.