Final answer:
The patient and family may choose between acceptance or denial when dealing with the experience of death, reflecting the stages of grief outlined by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient and the family's decision on how to approach the end of life can range from acceptance to denial. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's model outlines the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While these stages do not necessarily occur in order for everyone, and not all individuals will experience each stage, they offer a framework for understanding the emotional processes that many go through when facing terminal illness and death. Some individuals may embrace their impending death and use the time to reflect and find closure, while others may resist or deny the reality of the situation, which can sometimes result in remaining in the denial phase for a prolonged period.