Ethical principles and parental choice: treatment options for neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Nurses caring for children with congenital heart disease face unique challenges, especially when caring for neonates diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The treatment options for these neonates present difficult choices for the child's decision makers and are not without significant life-altering consequences. In order to assist in the decision-making process, nurses as patient and family advocates should acknowledge the unique role they play in the informed consent process, while simultaneously identifying specific ethical principles that are components of this process. By incorporating the principles of autonomy, beneficence, and veracity into specific nursing interventions, nurses can assist families in making informed decisions regarding a treatment option that is best for the child as well as the family.