The "Bobby" Question

Just a glimpse into the nursing school application I've been stressing over. Here is the third essay question I must answer in 350 words:

"Bobby is an 8-year-old boy with hemophilia. He has developed early acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) from a previous blood transfusion, but he does not know that he has AIDS. His parents have chosen not to tell Bobby that he has AIDS, and do not want any health care provider to tell him either. His parents have gone to great lengths to make certain that Bobby's AIDS diagnosis has been treated and followed under the guise of needing tests or treatments for his hemophilia. In the last year, Bobby has been hospitalized twice for pneumonia and responded well to treatment. Imagine yourself as being his nurse and that you were involved during his last 2 hospitalizations. Bobby is knowledgeable and understands his treatment for hemophilia. He has talked to other kids with hemophilia who have not had any problems with pneumonia. He asks you at his third admission to the hospital for pneumonia if he can talk to you for a few minutes. He says he cannot talk to his parents about this because they will not talk to him. He asks you if he has AIDS.

There is no right or wrong answers in this dilemma. You should write a logical essay that shows your critical thinking about your decision to tell or not to tell Bobby of his diagnosis of AIDS. In your essay, discuss the following points: 1) do you tell Bobby about his diagnosis of AIDS or not; 2) what are the issues and points of conflict; 3) who are the interested parties; 4) what are the consequences; and 5) what are your obligations?"

I've wrestled with both sides - to tell the truth or not to tell the truth - and I have decided I am not going to tell Bobby the truth about his AIDS. That sounds tough...but I have to respect the request made by Bobby's parents. I will encourage Bobby's parents to admit to him that he has AIDS - because, for an eight-year-old, Bobby seems to be a very perceptive and mature kid...telling from his own research into the matter. Perhaps he is entirely capable of handling the diagnosis - better than his parents believe.

I've become so wrapped up in this question that I have to keep reminding myself: Bobby is not real! There is no eight-year-old putting you on the spot, asking you blatantly whether or not he has AIDS. Relax!