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  • Essay / DNR: Who has the right to choose? - 1306

    DNR: Who has the right to choose? Do not resuscitate (DNR) is an order written by a doctor or written in an advance directive initiated by a patient. The Self-Determination Act of 1990 established a patient's right in certain situations where they may be unable to make critical medical decisions due to incapacity (Geppert, 2010). Orders given by the patient direct medical personnel not to perform life-saving measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A DNR order may also be specific to a medical facility; depending on state law, a patient may be able to choose the type of DNR order they wish to have. Many patients have these prescriptions decided long before they need them because the patient must be of sound mind to make these decisions. (“Comfort Care,” 1995-2013)The reasoning behind this act is due to the many medical advances made in life-saving treatments. With new cardiopulmonary techniques, a person can continue to operate their heart and lungs independently of other bodily functions or conditions. DNR orders now allow a patient to make a conscientious decision about what they want to do regarding life-saving measures. Various life-saving measures can prolong the inevitable but without improving the health status of patients or allowing them to achieve the same quality of life as before. ("DNR", "nd") Many people don't like to talk about these issues or feel they are too young to worry about things like advance directives. These orders must be established and clarified by patients before they become terminally ill or face emergency situations where they would be unable to make these decisions for themselves. In circumstances where patients do not have a DNR order in the middle of a ......tate paper order (DNR). (“nd”). Retrieved from http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.comDo not resuscitate controls and comfort care. (1995-2013). Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.orgDo not resurrect orders. (1998). Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/dnr.html Geppert, C. (2010). Saving life or respecting patient autonomy: the ethical dilemma of DNR orders in patients who attempt suicide. The Internet Journal of Law, Health and Ethics, 7(1). Retrieved from http://ispub.comLegal Guide for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders. (2013). Retrieved from www.mhlac.org/Docs/legal_guide_dnrTaylor, CR, Lillis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P. (2011). Values, ethics and advocacy. In Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art of Nursing Science (7th ed., pp. 84-107). Philadelphia, PA Baltimore, MA New York, NY: Wolters Kluwer Lipincott Williams and Wilkins.