A dilemma within the family: commentary on who should know and who should tell

Dilemmas for nurses may reflect a conflict between values and the choices a patient and family may make. When the debate involves the young children of a dying family member, who decides what is best for the children and how does the conflict get resolved? Rarely are the solutions simple. Following professional principle is imperative. Respecting the perspective of the dying often requires a set of fine balancing strategies: those of the professional and those of the family.