A mother and father of Iranian heritage bring their 14-month-old son to the health care facility, and he is subsequently admitted for leukemia. When the female pediatric oncologist introduces herself, the parents become uncooperative and refuse treatment. The nurse interprets which condition as being most likely responsible for the change in the parents' behavior?
1) fear of being accused of child abuse and neglect by an authority figure
2) religious barriers preventing acceptance of care from someone who is not of their faith
3) the gender of the health care provider who will be treating their child
4) aggressiveness that characterizes individuals from the Middle East
