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Child Asking About Parent Dying — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardCommunication & EthicsChild Asking About Parent DyingSCE Palliative Medicine

A dying patient’s 12‑year‑old daughter asks the palliative care nurse directly: “Is my mum going to die?” The mother has explicitly asked the team not to discuss her prognosis with her children. What should the nurse do?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Acknowledge the child’s question with honesty appropriate to the situation—“That’s a very important question; your mum is very poorly”—and encourage the family to have an open conversation together, without lying but respecting the mother’s wish to lead the discussion

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · A = shown as C · B = shown as D · C = shown as E

Option D is correct because it balances two key ethical principles: providing age‑appropriate honesty to the child while respecting the mother’s autonomy and confidentiality. UK guidance (NICE NG61) emphasises involving children in care decisions in a developmentally appropriate way and supports honest communication. NHS patient advice on children and bereavement reinforces that open, truthful discussion is more helpful than shielding. Options A and C dismiss or lie to the child, undermining trust. Option B breaches confidentiality and parental prerogative. Option E oversteps the nurse’s professional role and may overwhelm a 12‑year‑old.

Reference: NICE NG61 (2016, updated 2019): End of life care for infants, children and young people with life‑limiting conditions — recommendations; NHS advice on children and bereavement (NHS.uk), https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng61/chapter/recommendations