Question

You and your partner are resuscitating an elderly male patient in cardiac arrest. The family who is waiting in the next room keeps walking​ in, asking if they can be close​ "should he​ die". What would be an appropriate response of the EMS​ crew?

A.
Ask them to wait in another room so that you can discuss the​ patient's prognosis without them hearing the conversation.
B.
Allow them to​ stay, so long as they do not interfere with the resuscitation.
C.
Allow them to​ stay, but have them sign a waiver to take no legal action should they witness a medical mistake.
D.
Ask them to wait in another room because they may be​ "traumatized" by witnessing what is happening to their family member.

Answer 1

The EMS crew should ask the family to wait in another room during the resuscitation of an elderly male patient in cardiac arrest to avoid potential distress and interference with medical procedures. During such sensitive times, it is crucial to balance the need for a controlled medical environment and the family's desire to be near their loved one.

Step-by-step explanation:

An elderly male patient in cardiac arrest is being resuscitated by EMS crew, and the family wishes to be nearby in case he passes away. The most appropriate response for the EMS crew, prioritizing compassion, respect for the family's wishes, and maintaining an environment conducive to providing emergency care, would be to ask the family to wait in another room. This is because the chaotic nature of a resuscitation could be distressing and traumatic for the family, and it can also create additional stress and potential interference for the medical team while they are focused on saving the patient's life.

Allowing the family to witness resuscitation efforts might be permissible in certain circumstances, but generally, during active resuscitation, it is preferable to ensure the family has support and clear communication from the EMS crew without direct observation of the procedure. Conditions such as being terminally ill or having an advanced directive like a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order could also influence how these situations are managed, as they reflect the patient's and family's end-of-life care preferences, which must be respected.