Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

For a do not resuscitate (DNR) order to be valid, what must it explicitly state?

1. The physician's signature

2. The patient's medical condition

3. The date it was issued

4. The patient's verbal consent

The correct answer is: The patient's medical condition

For a do not resuscitate (DNR) order to be valid, it must explicitly state the patient's medical condition. This is crucial because it ensures that the decision for a DNR is clinically justified based on the patient's specific health status. The order provides guidance to medical personnel regarding the patient's wishes in the context of their current health and prognosis. While other elements, such as a physician's signature or the date of issuance, are also important in establishing the legitimacy of the document, the explicit mention of the patient's medical condition directly correlates with the ethical and clinical reasoning behind the DNR decision. It affirms that the choice for not pursuing resuscitation reflects the patient’s health circumstances, thus reinforcing the intent of the DNR order.