Author Question: A terminally ill patient and the family agree that the physician will write a do-not-resuscitate ... (Read 58 times)

sdfghj · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A terminally ill patient and the family agree that the physician will write a do-not-resuscitate order for the patient. The nurse understands that what should be implemented when following this order?

1. Do not call a code if the patient stops breathing or the heart stops beating.
2. Call a code only if the patient stops breathing.
3. Call a code only if the patient's heart stops beating.
4. Withhold food and fluids but provide pain medication.

Question 2

At the time of admission, a patient with a terminal illness tells the nurse that her daughter will be allowed to make health-related decisions if she becomes incapacitated. What should the nurse realize this patient is specifically describing?

1. healthcare surrogate
2. living will
3. durable power of attorney
4. advance directive

skipfourms123 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

A do-not-resuscitate order is written by the physician for the patient who has a terminal illness or is near death. This order is based on the wishes of the patient and family that no cardiopulmonary resuscitation be performed for respiratory or cardiac arrest. When implementing this order, the nurse would not call a code if the patient stops breathing or the heart stops beating. Withholding food and fluids but providing pain medication would be elements of a comfort-measures-only order.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1

The healthcare surrogate is an individual who will make medical decisions in the event the patient becomes unable to do so. The living will provides written directions about life-prolonging decisions. The durable power of attorney delegates the authority to make health, financial, and/or legal decisions on an individual's behalf. Advance directives are legal documents that allow a person to plan for healthcare and/or financial affairs in the event of incapacity. They include living wills, healthcare surrogates, and durable power of attorney.