Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Practice

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a specific type of medical order that indicates an individual's wishes concerning resuscitation efforts in the event of cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. When a valid DNR order is in place, healthcare providers are instructed not to perform CPR, which includes chest compressions, intubation, or the use of a defibrillator, in order to respect the patient's autonomy and previously expressed wishes about their end-of-life care.

The DNR order is distinct because it is legally recognized and often must be signed by a physician and the patient or their legal representative. This formal documentation serves as clear guidance to medical personnel, ensuring that the patient’s preferences are honored in critical situations.

While advanced healthcare directives and living wills may contain instructions regarding medical treatment preferences, including whether or not to receive life-sustaining interventions, they are broader in scope and may not specifically address the immediate need for CPR. A patient's consent for non-intervention can cover various decisions about treatment, but a DNR is a precise order related solely to resuscitation efforts, making it the correct answer in this context.