do not resuscitate
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) — це a legally binding medical order written by a physician instructing healthcare providers not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient’s breathing or heartbeat stops. This advance directive ensures that patient autonomy is respected during acute cardiac or respiratory arrest, preventing unwanted and invasive emergency interventions.
The initiation of a Do Not Resuscitate order typically stems from a comprehensive care planning discussion between a competent patient—or their designated surrogate—and the clinical team. Primary underlying clinical contexts and risk factors prompting a DNR request include:
- End-stage terminal illnesses, such as metastatic cancer, advanced organ failure, or severe neurodegenerative conditions.
- Advanced age combined with a severe, irreversible decline in functional status and quality of life.
- Patient or surrogate preference to avoid the low survival rates and high morbidity associated with CPR in frail or terminally ill populations.
