To minimize anxiety in a toddler with asthma during hospitalization, what action should the nurse take?

Encouraging rooming-in is an effective strategy for minimizing anxiety in a toddler with asthma during hospitalization. When a toddler's parents stay with them in the hospital, it offers emotional support and comfort, which can significantly reduce feelings of fear and anxiety associated with being in an unfamiliar environment. This familiar presence helps the child feel safer, leading to a better overall experience.

Rooming-in can also foster trust and cooperation between the child and healthcare staff, as the presence of a caregiver allows for smoother communication and comfort during medical procedures. Children often experience anxiety when separated from their primary caregivers, and having a parent nearby can mitigate that stress.

While introducing the child to the staff and providing toys for distraction can help, neither of those approaches addresses the core need for emotional security as effectively as having the parents remain close. Thus, encouraging rooming-in stands out as the most supportive action in this context.