The wife of a dying man exhibits typical anticipatory grief. Which statement would be appropriate?

• A. It isn't unusual for family to suffer from anticipatory grief when a loved one is dying.
• B. You should stay strong and continue daily activities as usual.
• C. Anticipatory grief doesn't affect memory.
• D. Your loved one will recover soon.

Answer: (A)

Anticipatory grief is a normal response to the impending loss of a loved one. When someone is dying, family members often experience a range of emotions—sadness, fear, anger, guilt, and even relief at times. Recognizing that these feelings are common helps people cope, talk about their fears, plan caregiving tasks, say goodbye, and prepare for the future. That’s why the statement that it isn’t unusual for family to suffer from anticipatory grief when a loved one is dying is the best choice: it validates the experience and reflects what people commonly go through.

The other ideas imply suppressing emotions, ignoring the reality of the situation, or making an unlikely prediction about recovery, which doesn’t fit how anticipatory grief typically manifests or what’s helpful in coping.