Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a DNR order from the physician in the chart. The patient stops breathing and his skin turns blue. What is the best action of the nurse to avoid a lawsuit for malpractice or wrongful death?

Answer 1

To avoid a lawsuit for malpractice or wrongful death, a nurse must follow a patient's DNR order by not initiating resuscitation and providing comfort care, thus respecting the patient's autonomy and the legal directive.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse is caring for a patient with a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and the patient stops breathing and turns blue, the best action to avoid a lawsuit for malpractice or wrongful death is to adhere to the DNR order. The nurse should confirm the presence and validity of the DNR order in the patient's chart and should not initiate resuscitation procedures. Instead, the nurse should provide comfort measures and notify the appropriate healthcare team members about the patient's condition.

It is crucial that medical personnel respect and follow the patient's expressed wishes regarding end-of-life care as indicated in advanced directives such as a DNR. Failure to abide by a DNR could result in legal action against healthcare providers for non-consented medical treatment, which can be seen as battery or medical malpractice. In the scenario described, by following the DNR order, the nurse fulfills the ethical and legal obligations to respect the patient's autonomy and right to refuse medical treatment.