Who can issue a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order?

Who can issue a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order?

• A. A patient or legally authorized representative
• B. Any licensed clinician only
• C. The hospital administrator
• D. An insurer’s medical director

Answer: (A)

DNR decisions center on patient autonomy and surrogate decision-making. A DNR is a medical order that reflects a patient's wish not to receive CPR if their heart or breathing stops, so the person who can authorize that choice is the patient themselves or a legally authorized representative acting on their behalf. When the patient or surrogate consents, a licensed clinician can then document the DNR order in the medical record. The other options don’t fit because hospital administrators and insurers’ medical directors don’t have authority to issue medical orders, and a clinician cannot unilaterally grant a DNR without the patient’s or surrogate’s consent.

DNR decisions center on patient autonomy and surrogate decision-making. A DNR is a medical order that reflects a patient's wish not to receive CPR if their heart or breathing stops, so the person who can authorize that choice is the patient themselves or a legally authorized representative acting on their behalf. When the patient or surrogate consents, a licensed clinician can then document the DNR order in the medical record.

The other options don’t fit because hospital administrators and insurers’ medical directors don’t have authority to issue medical orders, and a clinician cannot unilaterally grant a DNR without the patient’s or surrogate’s consent.