You arrive on scene to a male patient who has a valid POLST and is experiencing respiratory distress and hypotension. What do you do?

In situations where a patient has a valid Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), it is essential to adhere to the directives outlined in that document, as they reflect the patient's wishes regarding medical treatment.

In the case described, the patient is experiencing respiratory distress and hypotension, both of which are serious conditions. However, if the POLST indicates that the patient does not wish to undergo life-saving interventions in such circumstances, the appropriate action aligns with providing comfort and pain management while respecting the patient's wishes. This ensures that the patient is treated according to their desires, which may include receiving comfort measures instead of aggressive treatments.

Providing emotional support and comfort is part of a compassionate approach when treating a patient who is not seeking aggressive intervention. The focus should remain on alleviating discomfort and ensuring the patient feels supported during a critical time. By doing this, you honor the POLST and provide care that is in line with the patient's end-of-life preferences.

Listening to the requests of next of kin may be important in other scenarios; however, in the presence of a valid POLST, the patient's wishes take precedence over family preferences. Leaving the scene would neglect the duty of care and goes against the principles of providing support to a patient in distress.