A 9-year-old has terminal cancer, but the parents do not want the child to know the prognosis. The child has been asking questions such as what dying is like and whether the child will die. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A 9-year-old's understanding of death is the same as that of an adult. The parents try to "protect" the child, but the child senses the truth at some level and wants to discuss it. A child may be aware of impending death even before being told. Not being told may make the child feel isolated. Children sometimes feel a need to "protect" parents because they fear that their understanding will burden them. The nurse can offer self or other appropriate people to talk to the child if the parents cannot do it themselves. However, the nurse should first discuss the child's concerns with the parents and not talk with the minor child on the nurse's own initiative. Discussing the child's questions about death would support the parents' autonomy and advocate for the child's needs. (Option A) The child is probably hesitant to talk about death because the child senses the parents' reluctance to discuss it. It is worth considering why the child is asking others instead of the parents in the first place. It might be helpful for the nurse to bridge the communication gap initially. (Option B) Although the HCP should be informed, the parents need to handle the situation with their minor child. (Option C) This action minimizes the child's concerns and does not deal with the issue raised. The child is terminally ill. Educational objective: The nurse's role with a dying client is to aid communication. When a dying child asks about death, the parents should know about the child's concerns.

A 9-Year-Old Has Terminal Cancer, but the Parents Do Not