A family member informed the nurse that the client is Roman Catholic and they need a sacrament from a priest as death approaches. What is the BEST action by the nurse to respect this request?

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Meeting spiritual needs at the end of life by arranging access to a priest is essential. The best action is to help the family contact a priest so the dying client can receive the sacrament they request. A priest can administer the rites Catholics seek near death, such as Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion (Viaticum), and, if possible, Reconciliation. The nurse should facilitate contact and coordinate with the hospital chaplain or on-call priest, because these rites must be administered by a priest. This supports the patient’s comfort, peace, and faith alignment at end of life. Denying the request would disregard beliefs, and while arranging counseling offers support, it does not fulfill the sacramental need.