PLE-3003

A 72-year-old man is brought to the physician by his daughter because of painless jaundice for 1 month. His wife died 10 years ago, and his daughter is his only child. Before examining the patient, the daughter asks to speak privately with the physician and asks that she be given the results of any tests. She specifically requests that he not be given any bad news. The patient is alert. His vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows scleral icterus and jaundice. There is mild abdominal tenderness on palpation. He is oriented to person, place, and time. A CT scan of the abdomen shows a pancreatic mass with bile duct obstruction and probable metastatic lesions in the liver. What is the most appropriate next step?