What does DNR mean in clinical practice?

What does DNR mean in clinical practice?

• A. Do not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• B. Do not administer cardiac compressions
• C. Do not perform any life-saving actions
• D. Do not perform any form of resuscitation that has not been agreed upon by the client or substitute decision maker

Answer: (D)

This question tests how resuscitation decisions are made in clinical practice. Do-not-resuscitate status is rooted in patient autonomy and requires explicit agreement from the patient or a substitute decision maker before any form of resuscitation is carried out. The best answer captures that resuscitation, including CPR and other life‑saving measures, should not be performed unless it has been agreed upon by the patient or SDM. This clarifies that DNR is about consented resuscitation decisions, not an automatic blanket ban on all care. In practice, you would assess and document the patient’s code status, involve the SDM when the patient cannot consent, and ensure the agreed-upon plan is clear in the medical record.

This question tests how resuscitation decisions are made in clinical practice. Do-not-resuscitate status is rooted in patient autonomy and requires explicit agreement from the patient or a substitute decision maker before any form of resuscitation is carried out. The best answer captures that resuscitation, including CPR and other life‑saving measures, should not be performed unless it has been agreed upon by the patient or SDM. This clarifies that DNR is about consented resuscitation decisions, not an automatic blanket ban on all care. In practice, you would assess and document the patient’s code status, involve the SDM when the patient cannot consent, and ensure the agreed-upon plan is clear in the medical record.