You arrive on scene to a pulseless and apneic patient who has a DNR. What do you do?

In the scenario of encountering a pulseless and apneic patient who possesses a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, the appropriate course of action focuses on the principle of respecting the patient's wishes as documented in the DNR. The correct answer involves attempting to verify the validity of the DNR to ensure that it is still in effect and legally binding.

DNR orders are specific directives that indicate a patient's desire not to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or advanced life support in the event of cardiac arrest. Therefore, confirming the DNR's validity is crucial; this includes checking for proper documentation and ensuring that it adheres to local laws and regulations. Once the DNR is verified and found to be valid, the healthcare provider is obligated to respect the patient's wishes and refrain from initiating CPR.

While contacting medical direction may seem like a prudent option, it's important to note that in situations where a valid DNR is presented, the protocol typically allows for the healthcare provider to act based on the DNR without needing additional orders. Similarly, ensuring that the patient and family understand the implications of the DNR is important, but this is not the immediate priority in a critical situation where the patient is already in a