Which approach is most effective for clarifying patient concerns when a patient seems anxious?

• A. Active listening with open-ended questions.
• B. Nonverbal cues such as eye contact and facial expressions are ignored.
• C. Rushing through information.
• D. Providing medical jargon to demonstrate expertise.

Answer: (A)

The approach that best supports clarifying patient concerns when someone seems anxious is active listening with open-ended questions. By giving the patient your full attention, reflecting back what you hear, and asking questions that invite detailed responses, you help the patient express worries in their own words and show that you truly value their perspective. This not only reduces anxiety by validating feelings but also uncovers specific concerns, beliefs, or misconceptions that you can address and tailor information to. Active listening also involves noticing and responding to nonverbal signals, which can reveal fears the patient may not state directly. Rushing through information or using medical jargon can heighten anxiety and create confusion, while ignoring nonverbal cues misses important clues about the patient’s state.