The parents of a child with terminal cancer ask the nurse that the child not be told that he will not recover. The child asks the nurse if he is dying. What should the nurse do at this time?
A) Suggest a meeting with the healthcare team and the parents.
B) Offer to bring in the child life therapist to help explain the situation.
C) Tell the child he is dying and offer to stay with him.
D) Ignore the child's question and change the subject.
Answer: A
Offering to set up a meeting with the healthcare team to discuss the parents' fears and concerns about telling their child the truth is the best action by the nurse. Telling the child he is dying would be going against the parents' wishes. Avoiding the subject is not an option. Changing the subject or ignoring the child is not appropriate. The nurse should explain that the parents will talk to the child about this. The child has asked the nurse, but because the child is a minor, the nurse must consult with the parents first. Legally they cannot talk to the child.
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