Final answer:
Advanced directives and DNR orders serve different purposes in medical decision-making. Advanced directives detail specific medical interventions a person wants, while DNR orders state that medical personnel should not resuscitate a person if their heart stops or they stop breathing. If no DNR order is present, medical personnel will typically attempt to resuscitate the person.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of medical decision-making, advanced directives and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders serve different purposes.
An advanced directive is a written legal document that details specific medical interventions a person wants, such as whether they want life-extending treatments. It may also include a health care proxy, which designates someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
Advanced directives are typically created in advance to ensure that a person's wishes are known in advance.
A DNR order, on the other hand, specifically states that if a person's heart stops or they stop breathing, medical personnel should not take steps to revive or resuscitate them. A DNR order is often included as part of an advanced directive or communicated separately to family and close friends.
If a person does not have a DNR order in place and their heart stops or they stop breathing, medical personnel will typically take steps to resuscitate them using CPR, defibrillation, and other life-saving measures.