Which of the following conditions may warrant modification of chair position?

• A. Anxiety
• B. Hypertension
• C. Diabetes mellitus
• D. Osteoarthritis

Answer: (A)

Adjusting chair position is a practical way to reduce distress and improve cooperation when a patient is anxious. Anxiety can trigger increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and a strong fear response, all of which make it hard for someone to sit still, communicate, or tolerate procedures. By placing the patient in a comfortable, controlled position—such as upright with good back support, allowing small, gradual adjustments, and giving the patient some sense of control—you lower arousal and create a sense of safety, which helps them engage more effectively.

Hypertension, diabetes, and osteoarthritis can influence care in different ways, but they don’t inherently require chair-position changes to the same extent as anxiety does in terms of immediate, situational adaptation for comfort and cooperation.