Reference no: EM133242421

Let's meet Marvin. Marvin, a 15-year-old boy with acute nonlymphocytec leukemia, has relapsed after a second remission with an acute onset of fever, joint pain, and petechiae. A hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant is one of his therapeutic options. Although Marvin has agreed to a transplant if a suitable donor is found, he does not want to be resuscitated and placed on life support equipment if he has a cardiac arrest. Marvin has experienced all the burdens of therapy up to this point. He has talked extensively with the hospital chaplain and social worker and feels comfortable with his decision. His parents want an all-out effort to sustain his life until a donor is located. His parents have a difficult time accepting his opinions when they differ from their own. (Ball, et., al., 2017). Marvin's case illustrates the legal and ethical dilemmas in caring for older children and adolescents, especially since he has the ability to understand and make reasonable decisions. At what age can children make an informed decision about whether to accept or refuse treatment? What happens when the parents and child have conflicting opinions about treatment? How are ethical decisions resolved? (Ball, et., al., 2017).