A patient has been in the dying process for about 10 days. His wife has left his side only for very short periods during that time, and she looks pale and exhausted. The nurse, realizing the wife has not eaten much, suggests that she take a break to eat and rest. The woman refuses, saying, "I don't want to leave him. I won't have him much longer, and I don't want him to go when I'm gone." What should the nurse do?
Select one of the following: