The parents of a 12-year-old boy refuse chemotherapy to treat the child's leukemia,saying they will not ruin what is left of his life with drugs that will make him feel sicker.Which solution to this ethical dilemma would demonstrate compromise,maintaining the integrity of all involved?
A) Agreeing to allow the child to avoid chemotherapy
B) Explaining to the parents that without chemotherapy the child will die.
C) Obtaining a court order to require the parents to allow chemotherapy.
D) Agreeing to administer the chemotherapy agent with the fewest side effects.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Administering the chemotherapy agent with the fewest side effects demonstrates a compromise because the child receives treatment,but the parents' concerns about side effects are also considered.Allowing the child to avoid chemotherapy yields to the parents' concerns,but not the concerns of the healthcare team to do no harm to the child.Frightening the parents into agreeing with the healthcare team is coercion; a good compromise must be entered into freely.A court order is settling things by force and the parents lose their argument; a compromise cannot be obtained by force.

The Parents of a 12-Year-Old Boy Refuse Chemotherapy to Treat