Responding to hospital admission anxiety: involve the case manager or offer to call a loved one for support

When a client expresses anxiety regarding their hospital admission, which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. I will notify your night nurse of your sleep concerns.
• B. Can I call someone for you?
• C. I’ll notify the case manager for assistance.
• D. You don’t need to worry, you’ll be fine.

Answer: (C)

The most appropriate response when a client expresses anxiety about their hospital admission is to offer to call someone for them. This response acknowledges the client's feelings and provides practical support by allowing them to connect with a loved one or a support person, which can help alleviate their anxiety. In a healthcare setting, providing emotional support is crucial, and reaching out to someone the client trusts can offer reassurance and familiarity, helping them cope with their feelings of anxiety. It demonstrates empathy and attentiveness to the client's emotional needs, which is an essential part of patient-centered care. Other responses may not address the client's immediate emotional needs as effectively. Simply notifying the night nurse or the case manager may not provide the direct emotional support that the client is seeking, and telling the client not to worry dismisses their feelings and can feel invalidating. The focus should be on engaging with the client’s concerns and providing a pathway to comfort, making the offer to call someone a significantly better option.

Outline (quick guide to flow)

• Set the scene: anxiety on hospital admission and why the right nurse response matters

• The core move: notify the case manager for assistance

• Why this choice works: empathy, structure, and a trusted support link

• Practical steps to act now: how to respond, who to involve, what to document

• Gentle pitfalls to avoid and supporting perspectives

• Realistic quick script and conversational tone

• Takeaways you can carry into any patient interaction

Seeing worry at the bedside: a moment that can shape a stay

Hospitals are busy, bright with beeps and hurried footsteps. For a patient, landing in a new room can feel like stepping into a storm of unknowns: alarms, doctors, new routines, and a medical language that sounds like a foreign tongue. Anxiety isn’t a flaw; it’s human. The weather inside a person’s chest changes faster than the weather outside the window. And as a nurse, you’re not just handing out meds or charting vitals—you’re often the first steady presence someone meets after a leap into care.

Here’s the thing: the way you respond in that moment matters. It’s not about solving every problem right away. It’s about acknowledging the emotion, offering a path to support, and weaving the person into a care plan that feels personal and reachable.

The core move: I’ll notify the case manager for assistance

In a scenario where a client expresses anxiety about hospital admission, the most appropriate response is to say: I’ll notify the case manager for assistance. This isn’t a distant administrative act. It’s a concrete bridge to a support network inside the hospital. Case managers coordinate with social workers, discharge planners, and family or friends a patient wants involved. They think about the whole journey—emotional comfort, practical needs, and a smoother transition from admission to care routines.

Why this choice works so well

• It validates feelings while providing a tangible next step. Saying “I’ll notify the case manager” says, “We’re taking this seriously, and we’ve got a plan.”

• It taps into a trusted channel. Patients often worry about who can help if worries linger. Involving someone whose job is to organize support gives them a sense of security and structure.

• It keeps care patient-centered. The case manager can tailor actions to the individual—preferences about visitors, language needs, transportation for loved ones, and timing for follow-up conversations.

• It creates a proactive rhythm. Anxiety can stall a patient’s participation in care. A clear, collaborative step helps them feel involved rather than overwhelmed.

How this compares with other options (and why they’re less ideal in that moment)

• “I’ll notify your night nurse of your sleep concerns.” This is valuable for sleep issues, but it doesn’t directly address the emotional layer of admission anxiety. It’s a piece of the puzzle, not the whole solution.

• “Can I call someone for you?” is a kind and immediate lifeline. It’s often helpful, and it can soothe nerves right away. But without a plan that connects the patient to ongoing support, the relief might be short-lived.

• “You don’t need to worry, you’ll be fine.” A well-meant reassurance that aims to comfort can backfire. It may feel dismissive or minimize real emotions.

• Leadership and care teams appreciate a response that not only acknowledges feelings but also acts on a pathway to assistance. That’s the heart of involving the case manager.

From feeling to action: practical steps you can take in the moment

If a patient expresses anxiety, here’s a simple, repeatable approach you can follow.

1. Listen with presence

• Put down the chart, maintain eye contact, and nod. Let the patient vent a moment without rushing to fix things.

• Reflect what you hear. “So you’re worried about how this admission will go and who will be around for you?”

2. Validate, don’t minimize

• Acknowledge the feeling: “That sounds really tough. It’s understandable to feel unsettled in a hospital, especially when everything is new.”

3. Offer a concrete next step

• The essential line: “I’ll notify the case manager for assistance.” Then add a quick follow-up: “Would you like me to also call someone you trust right now, or would you prefer I start with the case manager first and then arrange a call later?”

4. Involve the case manager promptly

• Communicate the patient’s need and preferences. If the patient wants privacy, confirm consent before involving others. If the patient is comfortable, share relevant details about their support network and preferred times for contact.

• Set expectations: tell the patient what to expect next—who will contact them, what information will be gathered, and when they’ll hear back.

5. Follow through and loop back

• Check in after the case manager has engaged. A quick, “I’ve connected you with the case manager; they’ll reach out with options that fit your needs,” reinforces trust.

• Document conversations succinctly in the chart so any team member knows the plan.

A quick script you can adapt

• Patient: “I’m really anxious about being admitted.”

• Nurse: “I hear you. That’s a lot to carry. I’ll notify the case manager for assistance so we can set up the support you need. Do you want me to also call someone you trust right now, or would you prefer I start with the case manager and touch base in a bit?”

That script keeps the tone warm, clear, and action-oriented. It balances empathy with a practical pathway, which is what patients often crave in that moment.

Common traps and how to avoid them

• Dismissing feelings with brisk reassurances. People reading your tone can tell when you’re trying to hurry them past fear. Instead, slow down and validate first.

• Making promises you can’t keep. If the case manager isn’t available immediately, say so and provide a realistic timeline and alternate supports (e.g., social worker on call, chaplain, or family contact).

• Overloading the patient with information. Gather the essentials first (who to involve, what the patient wants), then share more if they’re ready.

• Assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. Each patient has different comfort levels with involvement. Ask about preferences and honor them.

A little context: what the case manager brings to the table

Case managers are often the nexus between medical care and personal reality. They coordinate services, help with transitions between levels of care, and connect patients with resources—like social work, transportation for visits, language assistance, or community supports after discharge. When a patient is anxious, tapping this resource can turn a chaotic moment into a controlled plan. It’s not just about logistics; it’s about restoring a sense of agency to someone who might feel overwhelmed by hospital life.

Real-world flavor: a nurse’s toolkit for emotional care

• Active listening and reflective statements

• Clear, actionable next steps

• Collaboration with the patient’s preferred support network

• Respect for privacy and consent

• Documentation that keeps the care team aligned

These elements aren’t flashy. They’re sturdy. They create trust, reduce fear, and help patients engage with their care journey rather than retreat from it.

Putting it into practice: a small, humane shift

If you’re new to this sort of moment, practice a tiny version in everyday care situations. When a patient expresses anxiety about a routine procedure or a new medication, start with listening, validate, and offer a concrete next step—ideally involving a case manager or another appropriate team member. The goal isn’t to “solve” every worry instantly. It’s to show you’re listening, you’re capable, and you’ve got a plan to support them.

Final takeaway: the power of the right next step

In hospital care, the most meaningful act isn’t a grand speech or a quick fix. It’s offering a path to support. Saying, I’ll notify the case manager for assistance, signals a commitment to the patient’s emotional well-being and a structured plan to ease the transition into care. It turns anxiety into action, fear into a pathway, and a lonely moment into a connected, supported one.

If you’re studying scenarios like this, remember: the patient’s emotional state matters as much as their physical symptoms. The right response blends empathy with a practical route to help. That subtle balance—care without delay, presence with purpose—defines patient-centered care and sets the tone for a better hospital experience for everyone involved.