What should a nurse encourage a family to do when a client is nearing death?

Encouraging the family to give the client permission to die can provide significant emotional support for both the client and their loved ones during a difficult time. This act can help facilitate a peaceful transition and may relieve any feelings of guilt or unresolved issues that the family might have surrounding the end of life. It allows the family to acknowledge and accept the imminent passing, fostering an environment of acceptance and love, which can be comforting for the client.

Additionally, this encouragement can help family members to express their thoughts and feelings openly, creating opportunities for reconciliation and closure. When families engage in this process, it may ease the client’s suffering and promote a sense of peace at the end of life.

The other options present alternatives that might not address the emotional and psychological needs of the client and family as effectively as providing permission to die. Revoking a "do not resuscitate" directive could contradict the client’s wishes and increase anxiety rather than foster a peaceful environment. Directing the family to seek spiritual comfort in a separate area may disengage them from the client during a crucial time when presence and connection are vital. While managing pain is critical, facilitating an environment of acceptance can have a profound impact in the final moments of life.