A client who is experiencing a severe level of anxiety and reports a racing heartbeat, dizziness, and expresses a sense that something dreadful will happen. The nurse observes the client pacing and waving hands rapidly. Which action should the nurse take?

A) Speaking calmly and providing reassurance of safety can help to de-escalate the client's anxiety and provide immediate support. B) Distracting the client may not effectively address the underlying anxiety and could potentially exacerbate the situation. C) While helping the client to identify triggers is important for long-term management, it may not be effective in the midst of a severe anxiety episode. D) Exploring past behaviors may not be immediately helpful during an acute anxiety episode and may be better addressed in a therapeutic session when the client is calmer.