Who should be consulted before DNR/AND orders are implemented?

Who should be consulted before DNR/AND orders are implemented?

• A. The Client and Family
• B. The Administrator
• C. The Attorney
• D. The Pharmacist

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is patient autonomy and shared decision-making. DNR/AND orders directly affect life-sustaining treatment, so they should reflect the patient’s own values and wishes whenever possible. Consulting the client (the patient) ensures informed consent and honors their preferences. Including the family helps clarify the patient’s goals, provide context, and support decisions if the patient cannot articulate them at the moment. Other roles—administrator, attorney, pharmacist—may be involved in policy, legal, or medication-related aspects, but they are not the primary parties whose preferences guide whether to implement these orders. If the patient lacks capacity, follow the appropriate surrogate decision-maker rules, but when the patient is able, their input and the family’s understanding of their wishes should guide the decision.

The key idea here is patient autonomy and shared decision-making. DNR/AND orders directly affect life-sustaining treatment, so they should reflect the patient’s own values and wishes whenever possible. Consulting the client (the patient) ensures informed consent and honors their preferences. Including the family helps clarify the patient’s goals, provide context, and support decisions if the patient cannot articulate them at the moment.

Other roles—administrator, attorney, pharmacist—may be involved in policy, legal, or medication-related aspects, but they are not the primary parties whose preferences guide whether to implement these orders. If the patient lacks capacity, follow the appropriate surrogate decision-maker rules, but when the patient is able, their input and the family’s understanding of their wishes should guide the decision.