AEMCA Practice Exam

What does a DNR not allow us to perform in the event of a cardiopulmonary arrest?

1. Defibrillation

2. CPR

3. Artificial ventilation

4. Resuscitation drugs

The correct answer is: CPR

The correct choice indicates that a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order specifically prohibits the performance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the event of a cardiopulmonary arrest. A DNR reflects a patient's wishes to forgo resuscitative efforts that would typically be undertaken in cardiac or respiratory emergencies. In the context of a DNR, the intention is to honor the patient's autonomy and end-of-life care preferences. When a DNR is in place, healthcare providers are legally and ethically mandated to refrain from CPR, which includes chest compressions and rescue breaths. This order underscores the importance of advance directives in medical practice, allowing patients to communicate their desires regarding life-sustaining treatments. While defibrillation, artificial ventilation, and resuscitation drugs may have roles in various medical situations, the essence of a DNR order is to stop all efforts aimed at returning the patient to a state of normal physiological functioning when cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs. Thus, these other medical interventions may still be applicable depending on the situation and the patient's overall care plan but they are not part of the resuscitation protocol that a DNR specifically addresses.