Question

Your patient tells you, "I hope I don't die, but if I do I don't want to be brought back." You notice on her chart and wrist band that she is a full code. What would be the MOST appropriate action?

1) Inform the patient's family about her wishes
2) Respect the patient's wishes and do not attempt resuscitation
3) Attempt resuscitation as per standard protocols
4) Consult with the patient's primary care physician

Answer 1

When a patient's verbalized wishes regarding resuscitation conflict with their charted full code status, consulting with the patient's primary care physician is the most appropriate action to potentially reconcile these differences.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient expresses a wish not to be resuscitated, but their medical chart indicates they are a full code, the most appropriate action is to consult with the patient's primary care physician. This step is crucial as it addresses the patient's current wishes and concerns, and may lead to a revisiting of the code status. It also provides an opportunity to clarify and possibly update any advance directives or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders. Because the patient's actual wishes seem to conflict with what is documented on the chart, this situation must be reconciled by the healthcare professionals involved, ensuring the patient's autonomy and legal rights are respected.