81-year-old female is in cardiac arrest. A family member has initiated CPR while other family members are arguing that she has a DNR order. What should you do?

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Multiple Choice

81-year-old female is in cardiac arrest. A family member has initiated CPR while other family members are arguing that she has a DNR order. What should you do?

In this situation you must verify the patient’s resuscitation status before making a decision, not act on verbal claims alone. Do Not Resuscitate orders are legal documents, and a DNR resting only on someone’s words isn’t enough to halt life‑saving measures. The safest and most appropriate step is to continue CPR and seek verification of the DNR—ask for any written order, DNR bracelet, advance directive, or physician’s note, and contact medical control if needed for confirmation. If a valid DNR is found, you follow it and stop resuscitation; if none is available, you continue CPR as indicated. This approach protects patient safety while ensuring you’re complying with the documented wishes.

In this situation you must verify the patient’s resuscitation status before making a decision, not act on verbal claims alone. Do Not Resuscitate orders are legal documents, and a DNR resting only on someone’s words isn’t enough to halt life‑saving measures. The safest and most appropriate step is to continue CPR and seek verification of the DNR—ask for any written order, DNR bracelet, advance directive, or physician’s note, and contact medical control if needed for confirmation. If a valid DNR is found, you follow it and stop resuscitation; if none is available, you continue CPR as indicated. This approach protects patient safety while ensuring you’re complying with the documented wishes.

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