The third stage of anticipatory grief described by kubler-ross is

• A. Denial
• B. Anger
• C. Bargaining
• D. Depression

Answer: (C)

Grief reactions, as described by Kubler-Ross, move through a recognizable sequence: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The third stage is bargaining, where the person clings to the hope that more time or a change in circumstances could avert the loss. You’ll often hear “If only…” thoughts or promises to change behavior in exchange for more time or a different outcome. This stage reflects a need to regain some control in the face of overwhelming loss, which is common in anticipatory grief. The stages before and after—denial and anger earlier, depression later, with acceptance as the final state—help explain why bargaining fits as the third step. Real life grief can be non-linear, with people revisiting stages or moving through them at different speeds, but bargaining consistently occupies that middle position in the traditional sequence.