Use of the Concept Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

1452 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Do not resuscitate case scenario

Many advances in medicine have resulted in an increase in recoverability from previously believed unrescuable conditions, most notably cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This particular advance in death mitigation has evolved over time and resulted in previously unforeseen conversations with patients and their families regarding specifying level of resuscitative efforts in the face of death. Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, one of the outcomes of successful and ubiquitously implemented CPR, can be found throughout healthcare agencies in several countries. Laws regarding its implementation vary by country, state and setting. Despite its long history of use in healthcare, confusion regarding the topic remains among both clinicians and patients and their families. Part of the misinterpretation can be attributed to the enormous ethical implications regarding ability to rescue versus appropriateness of rescue in individual patients. To alleviate this ethical concern, CPR as rescue has been established as the standard of care throughout healthcare agencies and in the community at large with the advent of prehospital care in the form of emergency medical technicians (EMT) as well as community level basic life support (BLS) training.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of DNR, including pure definition of the terms and understanding the evolution of DNR in end of life terminology as well as how the term DNR affects patient outcome in an attempt to clarify meaning. DNR as a concept will be analyzed using the method proposed by Walker and Avant (2010). The paper will first identify all uses of the concept. It will also determine defining attributes of the concept to include related concepts. This paper will high...

... middle of paper ...

...itutional-law-keyed-to-stone/implied-fundamental-rights/cruzan-v-director-missouri-department-of-health-2/2/
Definition of resuscitate. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2013, Merriam Webster online dictionary Web site: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resuscitate
Do not resuscitate. (2013, November 19). Retrieved December 4, 2013, from wikipedia.com: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_not_resuscitate
Kehl, K. A. (2006). Moving toward peach: An analysis of the concept of a good death. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 23(4), 277-286.
Sanderson, A., Zurakowski, D., & Wolfe, J. (2013). Clinician perspectives regarding the do-not-resuscitate order. Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics, 167(10), 954-958.
Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (2010). Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Show More
Related

  • Home First Program in Markham Stouffville Hospital

    1111 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ziegler, S.M. (2005). Theory-driven nursing practice. (2nd Ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.

    Read More

  • Critique of Barbara Huttman’s A Crime of Compassion

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...o get a do not resuscitate order. That is an order that the families may sign so the hospital does not have to give effort to bring a person back to life anymore once they have stopped breathing.

    Read More

  • Ethical Dilemmas In The Intensive Care Case Study

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    The purpose of the article, “Ethical Dilemmas in the Intensive Care Unit,” is to discuss two important ethical issues that health care workers in the intensive care units face. The first dilemma is treating a nonverbal patient, the second being medical futility. I chose this article because I intend to go into the critical care field once I finish nursing school. I also felt the topic of medical futility was of great important with recent headlines in the news regarding Brittany Maynard. Critical Care health workers are facing a growing patient population; this increase in patients leads to an increase in ethical issues and dilemmas surrounding the critical care field.

    Read More

  • Essay On Assisted Suicide

    2449 Words  | 5 Pages

    “If you truly believe in the value of life, you care about all of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.” This thought-provoking quote by Joni Eareckson Tada conveys a sense of obligation held by society to take up the roles of caretakers for the ones that cannot aid their own health. In the relativity of physician-assisted suicide, the word “care” in the previous statement is defined by helping those in need, in this case, pertaining to health issues with a potentially terminal outcome. When analyzing this controversial subject, one must consider all aspects of the medical context as well as the ethical conviction that pairs with it. Should terminally ill patients have the right to a physician-assisted suicide simply to protect their civil liberties? Or is this option just a devised method opposing the purpose of doctors and physicians and the morals of civilization playing the role of a scapegoat and devaluing human life? Although on the surface, physician-assisted suicide for patients in critical condition appears to be a plausible remedy, when further inspected, a practical perspective arises saying this so-called final solution is morally and ethically wrong considering the responsibility of medics, society, and law makers.

    Read More

  • Concept Analysis: Breastfeeding

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    Walker, L.O., & Avant, K.C. (2005). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

    Read More

  • Pain: A Concept Analysis

    3405 Words  | 7 Pages

    Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. C. (1995). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (3rd ed.). Norwalk, CT:

    Read More

  • Health Care Case Study

    1406 Words  | 3 Pages

    This can be seen in the case study as ethical and legal arise in resuscitation settings, as every situation will have its differences it is essential that the paramedic has knowledge in the areas of health ethics and laws relating to providing health care. The laws can be interpreted differently and direction by state guidelines may be required. Paramedics face ethical decisions that they will be required to interpret themselves and act in a way that they believe is right. Obstacles arise such as families’ wishes for the patients’ outcome, communicating with the key stakeholders is imperative in making informed and good health practice decision. It could be argued that the paramedics in the case study acted in the best interest of the patient as there was no formal directive and they did not have enough information regarding the patients’ wishes in relation to the current situation. More consultation with the key stakeholders may have provided a better approach in reducing the stress and understanding of why the resuscitation was happening. Overall, ethically it could be argued that commencing resuscitation and terminating once appropriate information was available is the right thing to do for the

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Neonatal Intensive Resuscitation

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    Neonatal resuscitation is intervention after a baby is born to strengthen it’s breathe or to boost its heartbeat. Approximately 10% of neonates require some assistance to begin breathing at birth, but only 1% require serious resuscitative measures. Informed consent regarding neonatal resuscitation is a constant ethical debate. This discourse ordinarily occurs between doctors and parents; parents often feel that the decision has been made for them, believing that they were not fully informed of any consequences that may occur before making their final action plan, or thinking that their opinion was not taken seriously; however, doctors see the procedure in a different light, that the parents can’t choose the best option for the child regardless of counseling, or performing as the parents wished but believing that the result could have differed if the parents had known all the effects that it will have further down the line, or convinced that they would have made a better

    Read More

  • Jean Watson Theory In Nursing

    1618 Words  | 4 Pages

    The nursing profession is considered both an art and a science. An example of the science of nursing is the theory and evidence based practice guidelines (EBP), which influence a nurses practice. The art of nursing is fluid of bringing science and patient care into nursing practice. Nurses in all levels of nursing educational programs should study nursing theory. According to Eun-Ok (2015) theory evaluation has declined and it is essential to developing nursing knowledge; which, leads to the development of nursing discipline. Nursing theory should be continually evolving as current health care trends evolve. The best way to accomplish this is through incorporating theory in academia and nursing

    Read More

  • Role Strain in the Nursing Profession

    2705 Words  | 6 Pages

    Walker, L. O. & Avant, K. C. (2011). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Read More

  • Concept Analysis on Self-care: Orem´s Theory on Nursing

    1538 Words  | 4 Pages

    Parker M. E., & Smith M. C. (2010). Nursing theories and nursing practice (3rd ed.).

    Read More

  • Dorothea Orem's Self Care Nursing Theory Analysis

    1539 Words  | 4 Pages

    McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2011). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (3 ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

    Read More

  • What Are The Ethical Principles Of Ethics In Nursing

    1313 Words  | 3 Pages

    Several ethical principles that are incorporated in the nursing care of patients on a daily basis are nonmalificence, autonomy, beneficence, justice, fidelity and paternalism. Nurses should strive to comply to as many of the principles as possible. In this case there are principles which support and conflict with the wishes of the patient. The first principle that supports the wish of the patient is autonomy. Autonomy means that competent patients have the right to make decisions for themselves and the delivery of the healthcare that they receive. Another factor that would support the patient’s wish to not be resuscitated is nonmalificence. Non maleficence means that nurses should not cause harm or injury to their patients. In this case the likelihood of injury after resuscitation was greater than if the patient were allowed to expire. A principle that could have negatively affected the outcome of the provision of ethical care was paternalism. Paternalism is when a healthcare provider feels that they know what is best for a patient, regardless of the patient’s desire for their own care. I demonstrated the principle of paternalism because I thought that I knew what was best for the patient without first consulting with the patient or family. This situation might have had some very negative consequences had the patient not have been competent. Practicing a paternalistic mindset might have caused a practitioner in the same instance to force their ideas about not resuscitating the loved one onto the family. This could have caused a sense of remorse and loss of control of care amongst the

    Read More

  • CPR

    577 Words  | 2 Pages

    CPR is a very effective method when dealing with a victim suffering from cardiac arrest. CPR involves chest compressions of at least 2in (5cm) deep and at a rate of at least 100 compressions per min, this helps to pump blood through the heart and also the body. The main goal of CPR is to try and stop tissue death. It’s also use to prolong for a successful resuscitation without causing permanent brain damage. CPR can be performed on adults, children, even animals. CPR can be used by one or more than one person.

    Read More

  • Ramona T. Mercer: Maternal Role Attainment

    3116 Words  | 7 Pages

    Tomey, A.M., & Alligood, M.R. (2006). Nursing theorists and their work (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

    Read More

More about Use of the Concept Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

Open Document