A newly reassigned nurse enters a hospital room at the beginning of the shift and finds the client unconscious and unresponsive. Resuscitation is initiated and then continued by the rapid response team. The nurse realizes that there is a do not resuscitate (DNR) prescription posted in the client's chart. Which action is correct?

Question

A newly reassigned nurse enters a hospital room at the beginning of the shift and finds the client unconscious and unresponsive.  Resuscitation is initiated and then continued by the rapid response team.  The nurse realizes that there is a do not resuscitate (DNR) prescription posted in the client's chart.  Which action is correct?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many health care professionals react to an emergency situation automatically. However, some states and provinces will further penalize health care workers with loss of their professional license if they fail to render cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an emergency situation. Health care professionals will not be penalized for an honest mistake. However, resuscitation must end immediately after they are notified of the error (Option A). (Option B) Continuing treatment until the code status is verified with the health care provider (HCP) constitutes malpractice. Before a do not resuscitate prescription can be posted in a client's medical record/chart, the HCP must provide documentation that the client's code status has been established through consultation with the client or family. (Options C and D) Gross negligence of a client's advance directive can result in legal action. Educational objective: Failure to stop an erroneous code on a client with an advance directive in a timely fashion may result in legal action.

A Newly Reassigned Nurse Enters a Hospital Room at the Beginning