Final answer:
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) is a legal directive that prevents medical professionals from performing CPR on a patient whose breathing or heart has stopped. Health care workers cannot ignore a DNR, and it must be respected unless its validity is in question, at which point they must seek clarification.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) is a legal document indicating that medical personnel, such as doctors and nurses, should not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient's breathing stops or if their heart stops beating. It is a type of advance directive commonly included in a living will. It is important to note that health care workers cannot ignore a DNR. The order is legally binding, and ignoring it can have legal consequences for the healthcare providers involved.
However, there might be specific situations that could influence how a DNR is implemented, like discrepancies in the wishes of the family or unclear legality of the document. In cases where the DNR's validity is in question, health care providers might proceed with lifesaving measures until the validity is confirmed. It depends on the situation, but as a general rule, a valid DNR order is to be respected.