A nurse in dialysis center is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of end-stage kidney disease. When he arrives for his first dialysis treatment, he tells the nurse, "I decided to come today, but I am not sure if I will need to come back again this week. I am feeling much better since my discharge from the hospital and I think my kidneys are working again." The nurse should identify that this client is demonstrating which of the of the following Kübler-Ross stages of grieving?

A. Anger: Anger stage is marked by frustration and resentment, often directed at caregivers, family, or the situation itself. Clients may question why the illness happened to them, but this scenario shows refusal to accept the reality of permanent kidney failure, not anger. B. Denial: Denial is the refusal to accept the seriousness or permanence of a condition. The client’s belief that their kidneys are working again and that dialysis may no longer be needed reflects avoidance of the reality of end-stage kidney disease, making denial the best match. C. Depression: The depression stage involves sadness, withdrawal, and hopelessness as the client begins to grasp the full impact of the illness. The client in this case is not expressing despair but instead minimizing the seriousness of the disease. D. Bargaining: Bargaining is characterized by attempts to negotiate for more time or a different outcome, often expressed as “If I do this, then things will change.” The client is not making deals or promises but rather refusing to accept the condition.