NCLEX Practice Test

How should the nurse respond when an adult child of a client with a DNR code status insists on doing everything possible to save the client after they stop breathing?

1. Call for help to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation

2. Call the health care provider to confirm the DNR status

3. Explain the client's wishes to the client's child

4. Offer to call the hospital chaplain to provide support

The correct answer is: Call for help to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The correct approach in this situation is to explain the client's wishes to the client's child. This means addressing the child's insistence in a way that respects the client's established do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status while fostering understanding and compassion for the family's emotional state. When dealing with a situation where a DNR is in place, it's crucial for the nurse to uphold the client's autonomy and advance directive. By sharing information about the client's wishes, the nurse helps the family understand the significance of the DNR order, facilitating a supportive conversation around the implications of it. This response not only honors the client’s choices but also aids the family in processing their feelings and possibly accepting the situation in a constructive manner. Other options could compromise the integrity of the DNR order. For example, calling for help for CPR would contradict the client's wishes and create further conflict. While confirming the DNR status or involving a hospital chaplain could be part of broader supportive measures, they do not directly address the immediate need to clarify the client's wishes to the child, which is a priority in this scenario. Thus, focusing on the client's wishes helps navigate the emotions involved and supports the family while upholding the ethical and legal guidelines of care.