Question

A nurse is educating a client with a terminal illness about declining resuscitation in a living will. The client asks, "What would happen if I arrived at the emergency department and I had difficulty breathing?"

A.We would consult the person appointed by your health care proxy to make decisions.
B.We would give you oxygen through a tube in your nose.
C.You would be unable to change your previous wishes about your care.
D.We would insert a breathing tube while we evaluate your condition.

Answer 1

If a terminally ill client arrives at the emergency department with difficulty breathing and has a living will that includes a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, the medical personnel will not take steps to revive or resuscitate the patient. The client's previous wishes about their care cannot be changed at that point. However, the person appointed by the client's health care proxy, as outlined in the living will, will be consulted regarding any decisions about the client's care.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a terminally ill client arrives at the emergency department with difficulty breathing and has a living will that includes a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, the medical personnel will not take steps to revive or resuscitate the patient. The client's previous wishes about their care cannot be changed at that point. However, the person appointed by the client's health care proxy, as outlined in the living will, will be consulted regarding any decisions about the client's care.

If the client did not specifically include a DNR Order in their living will, the medical personnel would evaluate their condition and may insert a breathing tube to assist with breathing if necessary.