Final answer:
The correct answer to the question of what is appropriate for a patient with a DNR order is not keeping the person alive through artificial means. A DNR order specifies not to perform resuscitation efforts but does not stop all medical care or preclude treating symptoms or managing pain. So the correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following would be appropriate for a patient with a DNR order? The correct answer is D) not keeping the person alive through artificial means. A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is an advanced directive that instructs medical personnel to refrain from performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other lifesaving procedures when a patient's heart stops or they stop breathing. It does not imply ceasing all medical care, as a DNR is specifically about resuscitation efforts, nor does it relate to diagnosing a terminal illness, as that is a separate medical assessment. Consulting the family before giving medical treatment may not be relevant if the patient has a clear DNR order, as the order reflects the patient's wishes regarding resuscitation.
It is important to understand that patients with DNR orders may still receive other medical treatments and comfort care to ease symptoms or manage pain, so long as these interventions do not contravene the DNR directive. The DNR is based on the principle of respecting patient autonomy and ensuring that medical care aligns with the patient’s expressed wishes, especially in the context of end-of-life care and those who wish to die with dignity.