Blank are ultimately responsible for deciding what is in the best interest of a baby.

Blank are ultimately responsible for deciding what is in the best interest of a baby.

• A. Parents
• B. Attending physician
• C. Hospital ethics committee
• D. Nursing staff

Answer: (A)

Parents are ultimately responsible for deciding what is in the baby's best interest. They are the legal guardians and primary advocates for their child, entrusted with the baby’s welfare and aligned with the family’s values, beliefs, and long-term goals. The medical team provides information, prognosis, and treatment options, but the final decision rests with the parents through shared decision-making. This remains true unless there is an emergency that requires immediate action or a situation in which parental choices would clearly endanger the child, in which case legal or ethical processes may come into play. The attending physician offers medical judgment, the hospital ethics committee provides guidance for complex cases, and the nursing staff supports care and advocacy, but they do not bear the ultimate responsibility for deciding what is best for the infant.

Parents are ultimately responsible for deciding what is in the baby's best interest. They are the legal guardians and primary advocates for their child, entrusted with the baby’s welfare and aligned with the family’s values, beliefs, and long-term goals. The medical team provides information, prognosis, and treatment options, but the final decision rests with the parents through shared decision-making. This remains true unless there is an emergency that requires immediate action or a situation in which parental choices would clearly endanger the child, in which case legal or ethical processes may come into play. The attending physician offers medical judgment, the hospital ethics committee provides guidance for complex cases, and the nursing staff supports care and advocacy, but they do not bear the ultimate responsibility for deciding what is best for the infant.