Final answer:
The correct answer is B. attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest. A Do Not Resuscitate order directs medical personnel not to perform resuscitation on a patient who has gone into cardiac arrest.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a written request that directs medical personnel not to perform resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest. The correct answer is B: not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.
DNR orders are an important aspect of medical care for individuals who are at the end stages of a terminal illness or who desire to die with dignity without undergoing aggressive medical interventions that may extend life without improving its quality. These legal documents are part of advance directives that can also include a living will and the appointment of a health care proxy to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient if they cannot do so themselves. The creation of a DNR is influenced by an individual's values, beliefs, and preferences regarding their end-of-life care.
It is essential to note that a DNR does not affect other treatments such as pain relief, hydration, or nutrition unless specified in the advanced directive. The order is to ensure that if a person's heart stops or they stop breathing, they are not subjected to medical procedures meant to restart the heart or breathing.