NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamEMS OperationsHard
An EMT is dispatched to a residence for an elderly patient who is unresponsive. Upon arrival, the EMT finds the patient lying on the floor, surrounded by several empty medication bottles. The patient's family states the patient has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, but cannot immediately produce the physical document. What is the MOST appropriate initial action for the EMT?
- ASearch the residence for the physical DNR document.
- BContact medical control for guidance on the DNR order.
- CRespect the family's verbal statement and provide only comfort care.
- DBegin full resuscitation efforts immediately.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Begin full resuscitation efforts immediately.
Without a valid, physical DNR order present at the time of patient contact, the EMT is legally and ethically obligated to initiate full resuscitation efforts. Verbal statements from family, while important, do not supersede this obligation without documented proof.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Searching the residence for a document delays critical patient care and is not the immediate priority; resuscitation is.
- B. While contacting medical control is good practice for clarification, it does not absolve the EMT of the immediate responsibility to begin resuscitation if no valid DNR is present.
- C. Providing only comfort care based solely on verbal statements without a physical DNR could be considered abandonment or negligence.
DNR Order Verification
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order must be physically present, valid, and clearly identify the patient to be honored by EMS personnel.
- Verbal statements are generally insufficient for honoring a DNR.
- If no valid DNR is present, full resuscitation efforts must be initiated.
- Contact medical control if there are questions or ambiguities.
Memory trick: Physical paper, patient match, physician's signature, no doubt.