An elderly client is admitted to the healthcare facility with acute respiratory distress. The client's health record has a DNR or "do not resuscitate" order. Which must the nurse perform if the client suddenly develops cardiopulmonary arrest?

Question

A) A full code is initiated at the earliest.
B) The client is allowed to die naturally.
C) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation without medications is initiated.
D) The code team is called with intervention delayed until the physician arrives.

Answer 1

B
Feedback:
A DNR code indicates that the client is allowed to die naturally without mechanical or chemical intervention if cardiopulmonary arrest develops. This code is an advance instruction to healthcare personnel, which is decided by the attending physician, the client, or the family members regarding the need for chemical or mechanical assistance to the dying client. A full code means that the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team is to be called in case of cardiopulmonary arrest, although death is imminent in the client. The nurse should not initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation without drugs or call the code team with intervention delayed until the physician arrives.