A School-Age Child Is Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness

Multiple Choice

A school-age child is diagnosed with a terminal illness.The parents want to protect their child from knowing the seriousness of the illness.The health-care worker should explain that:

A) denial will help the child cope more effectively.
B) this attitude is helpful in order to give the parents more time to cope.
C) terminally ill children usually do not wish to discuss the seriousness of their illness.
D) truthfulness in understandable terms is the most supportive approach.