When a Patient Admitted for Terminal Care Is Asked by the Admitting

Multiple Choice

When a patient admitted for terminal care is asked by the admitting nurse, "What has your doctor told you about your illness?" the patient states, "She says that I have a terminal illness, but I know she's wrong." The nurse recognizes that:

A) the patient has a doctor who does not tell patients when they have a terminal illness.
B) the patient is in denial and is unable to consciously admit what he has been told by the doctor.
C) the patient needs to be told that he doesn't have long to live so that he can make his final arrangements.
D) she will have to avoid all conversation that refers to his disease or symptoms so as not to increase his anxiety.