Suctioning a pt. who is a DNR is not violating his wishes. Suctioning is a comfort measure. I could not sit a watch a patient drown in his own secretions. We provide oxygen, suction, give tylenol to pts. with high temps, but do not intubate and perform chest compressions. People should be able to die in peace and comfortably, not choking on their own saliva....
DNR means basically what it says--Do Not Resuscitate---keep the patient comfortable, medicate them, feed them, wash them, take vitals etc....but, if they stop breathing and there heart stops, do not do CPR, let them go in peace....that's how i explain it to families..