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Discussion

Resolve this Dilemma please.

Your patient is termal. He has been close to you and even expressed to you his desire not to be resuscitated or maintained on machines or drugs. This morning, when you stick your head in the door to say hello, you find him unresponsive and not breathing. There is no DNR. What do you do? DO you put on the call light and call a Code, or do you make sure no one is watching and slip out of the room and tell no one? How do the options compete with each other?

Thanks!

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    • What would you do? 13 members have participated

    1. 1. What would you do?

      • Call light and report
        100%
        13
      • Leave quietly
        0%
        0

    Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

    Featured Replies

    • Expert

    This is not a HIPAA issue it's an ethical one....what semester are you?

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    • Author

    You're good...

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    • Expert

    very:smokin:.......I'm moving to nursing student assistance......you will get answers there.

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    • Author

    Neither, Highschool it's for the intro to CNA my first assignment. I know what I want to say (The obvious one of course) but I can't seem to word it right. I'm also affraid of sounding funny, being the only male in my class of really pretty girls.

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    • Author
    very:smokin:.......I'm moving to nursing student assistance......you will get answers there.

    Thank you for the help!

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    Write out your thoughts and perhaps we can help you articulate your intent. Sometimes having someone else read what you are trying to say can help you figure out the right order.

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    • Author
    Write out your thoughts and perhaps we can help you articulate your intent. Sometimes having someone else read what you are trying to say can help you figure out the right order.

    Givin the situation, the matter of myself knowing the patients ideas and preferences is irrelavent. Nor am I at liberty to make the decision if there isn't any DNR.

    No matter which way I word it, I still sould like a ----, trust me I really tried.

    Thank You!

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    • Expert

    Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

    We are always happy to help with homework but we will not do it for you. Ethical Dilemma papers are always from the heart...your heart.

    In nursing you will face many dilemmas. This will be, unfortunately, common as many patients and their families (MDs as well) are uncomfortable in talking about death. You will find that it will vary from facility to facility and from one region to another.

    Most healthcare workers will respect the wishes of the patient......but you are legally obligated to call that code and get the PCP on the phone pronto. As a CNA if the patient has that conversation with you you must report it to the nurse ASAP so she may pursue it with the PCP.

    Here are some things to think about.......

    Lets say the patient is elderly 80y/o but is healthy. He came in for chest pain but has been given a clean bill of health. You have this conversation but later find him pulseless and not breathing. What would you do?

    On the flip side.......

    Let's say the patient is 60 y/o and is riddled with bone cancer. He has been fighting this for several years and has periods of confusion the most recent work up shows the cancer has gone to the brain. You have had this conversation but now find him no pulse, no respiration's.

    Legally you are obligated to call the code and do everything. If There is no DNR........ they are a full code. How does this make you feel? What makes you feel differently between the two cases given to you. How would you feel personally? How would you feel if this was your family member.....

    I think this may help....what are your thoughts?

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    • Author

    Thank you, that defintly helped!

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    • Expert

    You're welcome......I am sure others will chime in. Good Luck!!!! let us know if you need anything.

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    One of the key things in healthcare is patient education and prevention. Dilemmas are no exception! How do you think this dilemma could have been prevented/what patient education could have taken place prior to the code?

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    • Expert

    Where I work there would be no question. No DNR, you call a code. It doesn't matter what the patient has told you. If he expressed a wish to be a DNR then this should have been dealt with before hand. A CNA cannot make that decision.

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