A nurse is providing palliative care to a client who is receiving hospice care and is approaching death. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

In Kübler-Ross's stages of dying, acceptance is the final stage characterized by a sense of peace, tranquility, and readiness to confront death. The statement "She’ll soon be at peace" reflects an acknowledgment and acceptance of the impending death of the individual, as well as a recognition of the relief or comfort that may come with the end of suffering. This behavior aligns with the acceptance stage of Kübler-Ross's model.

A. Anger: Anger is typically characterized by feelings of frustration, resentment, and hostility. In Kübler-Ross's model, anger often arises as individuals struggle to come to terms with their diagnosis or prognosis. However, the statement provided does not express anger but rather a sense of acceptance and tranquility. Therefore, this choice is less appropriate.

B. Depression: Depression in the context of Kübler-Ross's stages of dying involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. It often occurs as individuals confront the reality of their situation and the impending loss. The statement "She’ll soon be at peace" does not reflect the pervasive sadness and despair associated with depression. Instead, it conveys a sense of acceptance and readiness for the end of suffering, making this choice less fitting.

C. Denial: Denial is a defense mechanism characterized by a refusal to accept reality or acknowledge the truth of a situation. In Kübler-Ross's model, denial is often one of the initial stages of coping with a terminal diagnosis. However, the statement provided does not reflect denial, as the individual acknowledges the reality of the impending death and the potential for peace. Therefore, this choice is not the most appropriate.

D. Bargaining: Bargaining involves attempting to negotiate or make deals to postpone or mitigate the inevitable outcome. In Kübler-Ross's model, individuals may bargain with themselves, others, or a higher power in an attempt to avoid facing the reality of death. The statement "She’ll soon be at peace" does not indicate bargaining, as there is no attempt to negotiate or make deals to avoid death. Instead, it reflects acceptance of the situation and readiness for the end of suffering. Therefore, this choice is less suitable compared to others.

E. Acceptance: Acceptance is the final stage in Kübler-Ross's model, characterized by a sense of peace, tranquility, and readiness to confront death. The statement "She’ll soon be at peace" reflects an acknowledgment and acceptance of the impending death, as well as a recognition of the potential for relief or comfort that comes with the end of suffering. This behavior aligns most closely with the acceptance stage of Kübler-Ross's model, making it the most appropriate choice.

The statement "My family will be fine after I'm gone" reflects a sense of acceptance of the situation and an acknowledgment of the inevitability of death. Here's how it correlates with Kübler-Ross's stages of dying:

Anger (Option A): Anger is characterized by feelings of frustration, resentment, and hostility. The statement does not express any anger towards the situation or others; instead, it conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance.

Depression (Option B): Depression involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. While the statement could potentially be interpreted as reflecting sadness about leaving loved ones behind, it primarily conveys a sense of acceptance rather than depression.

Denial (Option C): Denial involves refusing to accept the reality of the situation. The statement provided does not reflect denial as it acknowledges the reality of the individual's impending death rather than denying it.

Bargaining (Option D): Bargaining involves attempting to negotiate with a higher power or others to change the outcome of the situation. The statement does not reflect bargaining as it does not involve any attempt to change the inevitable outcome of death.

Acceptance (Option E): Acceptance is the final stage in Kübler-Ross's model and involves coming to terms with one's impending death. The statement "My family will be fine after I'm gone" suggests that the individual has accepted their fate and believes that their loved ones will be able to cope without them. Therefore, this behavior correlates most closely with the stage of acceptance.