Question

A client has an advanced directive that states he/she does not wish to be resuscitated in case of emergency. The nurse assistant does not agree with this decision. What should be done if the client goes into cardiac arrest? A) Notify the supervisor immediately and follow the advanced directive, withholding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as per the client's wishes. B) Administer CPR regardless of the client's advanced directive because the nurse assistant disagrees with their decision. C) Call a Code Blue and initiate CPR without consulting the supervisor, ignoring the client's advanced directive. D) Delay notifying the supervisor and instead, seek the input of other healthcare staff on whether to proceed with CPR.

Answer 1

In the event of a cardiac arrest for a client with a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, as a healthcare provider, you should honor the client's advanced directive and withhold CPR, irrespective of personal beliefs or disagreements.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client has an advanced directive, the healthcare providers, including nurse assistants, are obligated to follow the wishes outlined in the document. This directive may state conditions like Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) which means that medical personnel should not take steps to revive a patient if their heart stops beating. Therefore, in the event the client goes into cardiac arrest, the recommended course of action is to notify the supervisor immediately and comply with the advanced directive, which is option A, to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Personal beliefs or disagreement with the client's decision should not influence the execution of the care plan outlined in the advanced directive. It is crucial in the healthcare industry to respect patients' rights and wishes, especially when it involves life and death decisions.

These living wills and DNR orders are legal documents, and many individuals prepare them ahead of time to let their healthcare team know about their preferences in case they cannot express them due to serious illness or incapacity.

Learn more about Advanced Directive