A patient with end-stage renal disease has elected to stop hemodialysis and is now admitted to hospice services. The family wants to know how long the patient has to live. Which of the following is the hospice nurse's BEST response?

While consulting with the physician may provide additional insights, it does not directly address the family's immediate concern about the patient's life expectancy. This response could cause unnecessary delay in providing the family with the information they seek.

This response may seem honest, but it lacks the compassionate context necessary for the family during a difficult time. While specific predictions can be challenging, conveying general expectations about life expectancy is essential to help the family prepare emotionally.

Stating that death may occur within 24 hours is misleading and overly alarmist. While some patients may pass quickly, many others live for several days to weeks after stopping dialysis. This response could cause unnecessary distress for the family and does not reflect the typical progression of the disease.