Ethics in Pediatric End-of-Life Care: A Nursing Perspective

Care of children at the end of life frequently involves ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions. These ethical dilemmas often complicate the already challenging circumstances surrounding the death of a child; therefore, the knowledge and application of ethical principles becomes an essential component of nursing practice. The purpose of this article is to describe bioethical principles and common ethical dilemmas faced by nurses in pediatric end-of-life care and suggest nursing interventions to promote a peaceful end-of-life experience for the child and family.