A young adult with metastatic cancer who is near death appears restless and says, 'I am not ready to die.' What is the best action for the nurse?

• A. Remind the patient that no one feels ready for death.
• B. Sit at the bedside and ask if there is anything the patient needs.
• C. Insist that family members remain at the bedside with the patient.
• D. Tell the patient that everything possible is being done to delay death.

Answer: (B)

A patient near the end of life expressing that they’re not ready to die signals existential distress and a need for presence and open communication. The best action is to sit at the bedside and ask if there is anything the patient needs because this demonstrates therapeutic presence, validates their feelings, and creates a safe space to voice fears, pain, or unfinished business. From there, the nurse can listen actively, explore concerns, and address comfort needs—physical symptoms, emotional support, spiritual questions, or practical arrangements—aligned with the patient’s wishes. Options that try to reassure with general statements, demand family presence, or emphasize delaying death miss the opportunity to respond to the patient’s actual distress and autonomy.