[dragon5282001]

Mr x is admitted for pallative surgury. PT has a living will, durable power of attorney and A DNR. Son is his durable power of attorney. Pt collapses on way to bathroom, no pulse or respirations. Son tells nurse to do everthing possible for PT. What should nurse do? Honor the DNR or the durable power of attorney's request. Any comments would be appreciated. thanks

[traumaRUs]

At least in Illinois, we would be doing everything. However, I would contact pastoral care immediately to help sort things out.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by dragon5282001

Mr x is admitted for pallative surgury. PT has a living will, durable power of attorney and A DNR. Son is his durable power of attorney. Pt collapses on way to bathroom, no pulse or respirations. Son tells nurse to do everthing possible for PT. What should nurse do? Honor the DNR or the durable power of attorney's request. Any comments would be appreciated. thanks

nurse should perform cpr and call 911. dnr's can be rescinded at any time. so it's the poa's call.

[jnette]

Originally Posted by earle58

nurse should perform cpr and call 911. dnr's can be rescinded at any time. so it's the poa's call.

Leslie.. the DNR can be rescined at any time by WHOM ??? Please clarify.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by jnette

Leslie.. the DNR can be rescined at any time by WHOM ??? Please clarify.

by either competent pt or the poa. people can change their minds at any time.

[KarafromPhilly]

I would think that if the patient specified that they wanted to be a DNR when they were competent to make that decision, then the DNR would stand. Even if the son is the POA, he doesn't have the right to overrule the decision his father made for himself. Otherwise, the father's right to decide for himself would be meaningless. IMHO, the son panicked--if not, why didn't he rescind the DNR earlier?

[earle58]

Originally Posted by KarafromPhilly

I would think that if the patient specified that they wanted to be a DNR when they were competent to make that decision, then the DNR would stand. Even if the son is the POA, he doesn't have the right to overrule the decision his father made for himself. Otherwise, the father's right to decide for himself would be meaningless. IMHO, the son panicked--if not, why didn't he rescind the DNR earlier?

that's true-if the pt stated he wanted to be a dnr and it's in writing, then the son/poa cannot supersede that.

leslie

[happthearts]

Originally Posted by earle58

that's true-if the pt stated he wanted to be a dnr and it's in writing, then the son/poa cannot supersede that.

leslie

My understanding is if any family member is there at the time of death They can resind that DNR order at any time. Had a family member do it,Here in Utah made us take PT to the hospitial where she lived though the heart arrest .PT lived one more year until she died .When family was better then to accept the death.Too bad just about wiped her whole estate out.

[txspadequeen921]

This is not true, the medical POA calls the shots. He can cancel a DNR just as easy as he can sign one for the patient.

Originally Posted by KarafromPhilly

I would think that if the patient specified that they wanted to be a DNR when they were competent to make that decision, then the DNR would stand. Even if the son is the POA, he doesn't have the right to overrule the decision his father made for himself. Otherwise, the father's right to decide for himself would be meaningless. IMHO, the son panicked--if not, why didn't he rescind the DNR earlier?

[earle58]

Originally Posted by txspadequeen921

This is not true, the medical POA calls the shots. He can cancel a DNR just as easy as he can sign one for the patient.

i don't think so at all.
if a patient has a dnr in writing, why would anyone have the right to override that?

i'm checking with my nurse's association on this.

leslie