Final answer:
Wendy is in the denial stage of Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief after refusing to accept her terminal diagnosis, a stage characterized by disbelief and seeking alternate opinions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wendy, age 23, who refuses to accept her terminal diagnosis and seeks other opinions from doctors, is exhibiting behavior consistent with the denial stage in Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief. This stage is characterized by shock and disbelief, where the individual is not ready to accept the reality of their condition. It is the first defense mechanism that kicks in when one faces a terminal illness. Kübler-Ross's model includes five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, but not necessarily in that order and not all individuals experience all stages.
Elizabeth Kübler-Ross published her findings in the classic book On Death and Dying, which remains influential in the fields of psychology, sociology, and healthcare. Her work is a significant contribution to thanatology, the systematic study of death and dying, allowing for better understanding and support for those facing the end of life.