Final answer:
Ivan Ilyich's condition deteriorates in chapters 5–8, leading him to wrestle with the reality of his impending death, fluctuating between hope and despair.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most accurate summary of chapters 5–8 of The Death of Ivan Ilyich is that Ivan Ilyich's pain worsens, and he grapples with his mortality. The celebrated doctors he visits offer temporary relief, but ultimately, his condition is a downward spiral, and he cannot find a cure. As he faces the reality of his impending death, he oscillates between hope and despair. He experiences anger and bitterness towards almost everyone in his life with the exception of his servant Gerasim. Amidst this turmoil, his family struggles to comprehend his suffering and cannot provide the solace he seeks.