A 78-year-old client with end-stage heart failure is receiving palliative care at home. The client's daughter expresses concern to the nurse, saying, 'Mom isn't eating much, and she seems to be sleeping all the time. Is she giving up?' How should the nurse respond to best address the daughter's concern and educate her about end-of-life care?

Question: A 78-year-old client with end-stage heart failure is receiving palliative care at home. The client's daughter expresses concern to the nurse, saying, 'Mom isn't eating much, and she seems to be sleeping all the time. Is she giving up?' How should the nurse respond to best address the daughter's concern and educate her about end-of-life care?

Answer options:

• "We can try to find foods she likes to encourage her to eat more." ✅ "It's common for patients at the end of life to have decreased appetite and increased sleep. These are natural changes as her body slows down."
• "Perhaps she's depressed. We should consider a consultation with a psychiatrist."
• "She still has some time left. Don't worry, we'll keep her comfortable."

Correct answer: "It's common for patients at the end of life to have decreased appetite and increased sleep. These are natural changes as her body slows down."

Explanation: Option B provides accurate information about common physiological changes during the dying process, normalizing the client's symptoms and addressing the daughter's concern with compassion and education. This therapeutic response helps the family understand what to expect without offering false hope or pathologizing normal end-of-life symptoms.