Unlike other medical interventions, CPR is initiated without a physicians order under the theory of implied consent for emergency treatment. The physicians order is necessary to withhold CPR; invariably the physicians often hesitate to initiate discussion with patient or attendants because of inappropriate concern about provoking severe anxiety or undermining a patients hope. While showing the respect for patient right of Autonomy, the commonly used term do not resuscitate (DNR) may be misleading whereas the term do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) may more clearly envisages the patients right of autonomy.
DNAR orders written in the hospital are not advance directives because DNAR order does not preclude interventions such as administration of parenteral fluids, nutrition, oxygen, analgesia, sedation, antiarrhythmic agents, or vasopressors. Some patients may choose to accept…
