What is the role of the nurse in terminal pediatric care?

• A. Provide comfort, support the family, coordinate care, and facilitate communication about goals
• B. Focus only on medication administration
• C. Avoid discussing prognosis
• D. Make all decisions unilaterally

Answer: (A)

In terminal pediatric care, the nurse’s role centers on providing comfort for the child and holistic support for the family while coordinating the care plan and guiding conversations about goals of care. This means managing symptoms and pain to keep the child as comfortable as possible, and attending to psychological, social, and spiritual needs for both the child and family. The nurse works with the whole team—physicians, social workers, chaplains, and others—to ensure consistent care and clear communication. By facilitating honest, developmentally appropriate discussions about prognosis and what the family hopes to achieve, the nurse helps families make informed decisions aligned with their values and the child’s comfort and dignity. Decisions are made collaboratively with the family, rather than unilaterally, and care focuses on the child’s quality of life and the family’s ability to cope and plan.