Which of the following is a commonly used non-pharmacologic intervention to reduce patient stress in hospital settings?

• A. Guided imagery
• B. Administration of anxiolytics
• C. Surgical intervention
• D. High-dose corticosteroids

Answer: (A)

Guided imagery works by guiding the patient to focus on calming mental pictures, which helps trigger the body’s relaxation response. When a person vividly imagines a peaceful scene and pairs it with slow, controlled breathing, the nervous system shifts toward calmness, reducing heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. This makes it a practical, safe, and inexpensive way to lower stress without medicines, and it can be used across ages and conditions with a nurse’s guidance or a simple audio recording. Because it’s non-pharmacologic, it avoids drug-related side effects and interactions while still promoting comfort and coping during hospital stays.

Pharmacologic approaches like anxiolytics introduce medications with potential side effects and interactions, and invasive or systemic treatments such as surgical interventions or high-dose corticosteroids are not aimed at stress reduction and carry their own risks and indications. Guided imagery stands out as a patient-centered, accessible method to ease stress in the hospital setting.