A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with end-stage liver cancer. Which of the following responses is an indication the client is in the denial phase of the grief process?

A. This statement reflects denial, the first stage of grief, in which the client refuses to accept the reality of a terminal diagnosis. By claiming the doctor is exaggerating, the client is attempting to protect themselves from the emotional impact of the prognosis. Denial serves as a coping mechanism to process overwhelming news gradually. B. This statement reflects anger, another stage of grief, where the client directs frustration or blame toward others, such as healthcare providers, rather than confronting their own mortality. C. This statement reflects acceptance, the final stage of grief, in which the client acknowledges the situation, reconciles with the prognosis, and expresses a sense of peace or closure. D. This statement reflects depression, characterized by fatigue, withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness in response to the anticipated loss.