Which of the following is NOT one of the five steps of accepting terminal illness?

The five stages of accepting terminal illness, commonly referred to in the context of grief and loss, are widely known as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Compromise, while it may seem like a relevant emotional response, does not align with the established stages of terminal illness acceptance.

The stages are designed to capture the typical emotional responses people may experience as they cope with a life-limiting diagnosis. Denial serves as an initial shock, anger reflects frustration and helplessness, bargaining involves trying to negotiate for more time or a different outcome, and acceptance is the final step of coming to terms with the reality of the situation.

Since compromise lacks recognition as an official stage within this framework, understanding that it does not fit into the model of emotional responses typically associated with terminal illness highlights why it is the correct answer in this context. This helps solidify comprehension of how individuals cope with profound loss and the emotional journey they typically undergo.