Question

You are called to the scene of a cardiac arrest. On arrival, you find a 55-year-old male with a history of hypertension, COPD, and congestive heart failure, pulseless and apneic. His wife tells you that he collapsed about three minutes before your arrival. Your partner begins one-rescuer CPR, and another paramedic on-scene controls the airway. As you are applying your ECG leads, the patient's wife tells you that she wants you to let him die in peace.

Which of the following would be most appropriate in this case?

A) Perform rescue breathing only, and contact medical control
B) Cease resuscitation only if the monitor does not indicate the presence of a potentially viable rhythm
C) Continue performing resuscitation efforts, and ask if the patient has a DNR or living will
D) Comply with her request, and cease all resuscitation efforts

Answer 1

The most appropriate action would be to continue performing resuscitation efforts and ask if the patient has a DNR or living will.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate action in this case would be to continue performing resuscitation efforts and ask if the patient has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) or living will. It is important to respect the patient's wishes, however, this decision should only be made if there is a documented DNR or living will. Without clear documentation, healthcare professionals are obligated to continue resuscitation efforts.

Performing high-quality chest compressions is crucial in CPR as it helps maintain blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. It is recommended to perform chest compressions at a depth of at least 5 cm and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. The goal is to continue CPR until the patient regains spontaneous contraction or is declared dead by an experienced healthcare professional.

It is important to note that in a situation of cardiac arrest, early initiation of CPR and advanced life support measures can significantly improve the chances of survival. Therefore, it is generally recommended to continue resuscitation efforts unless there is clear documentation stating otherwise.