A 29-year-old female leaped from the fourth floor hospital window. She is unresponsive with agonal respirations. A nursing aide rushes up and says, 'She is terminally ill with a DNR. Don't do anything!' What should you do ?

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Multiple Choice

A 29-year-old female leaped from the fourth floor hospital window. She is unresponsive with agonal respirations. A nursing aide rushes up and says, 'She is terminally ill with a DNR. Don't do anything!' What should you do ?

When a patient is unresponsive with signs that require resuscitation, you must verify any DNR status before withholding care. A nurse’s statement alone isn’t enough; look for formal documentation (DNR order, POLST) and contact medical control to confirm the patient’s wishes. If a valid DNR is confirmed, you withhold resuscitation; if there is no valid DNR, you proceed with resuscitation, including assisted ventilations given agonal respirations to support oxygenation. In this scenario, the correct step is to verify the DNR and contact medical control to determine the appropriate course of action.

When a patient is unresponsive with signs that require resuscitation, you must verify any DNR status before withholding care. A nurse’s statement alone isn’t enough; look for formal documentation (DNR order, POLST) and contact medical control to confirm the patient’s wishes. If a valid DNR is confirmed, you withhold resuscitation; if there is no valid DNR, you proceed with resuscitation, including assisted ventilations given agonal respirations to support oxygenation. In this scenario, the correct step is to verify the DNR and contact medical control to determine the appropriate course of action.

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