During admission to the psychiatric unit, a client is extremely anxious and reports being worried about the sun coming up the next day. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement during the admission process?

A. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach: A calm, consistent, and matter-of-fact approach helps to reduce the client's anxiety by providing reassurance and stability. This strategy focuses on building trust and establishing a therapeutic relationship, which is crucial during admission. B. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills: While this is an important intervention, it is not the priority during admission. Clients experiencing extreme anxiety are often unable to learn or apply new coping strategies until their immediate anxiety is reduced. C. Administer an as needed (PRN) sedative to help relieve anxiety: Medications may be helpful but should not be the first-line intervention unless the anxiety is severely debilitating. Addressing the client's concerns and building rapport are higher priorities initially. D. Ask the client why she is so anxious: Clients in an extremely anxious state may not be able to articulate their feelings clearly. Asking "why" can also feel accusatory or overwhelming and may escalate the client’s anxiety.