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emgwenn April 5th, 2016 4:23am

A patient signs a DNR. When in the hospital he is given the wrong medication and his heart stops due to the medication error. Should the doctors attempt to restart his heart?

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TierasPet
04/07/16 10:17 am

This is a great question. I think it may depend on the wording of the DNR and I didn't comment because I really wasn't sure. Administering the wrong medication is negligence but so is ignoring a DNR when you are aware of it. I'd say honor the DNR because it's safer but I could be entirely wrong.

TierasPet
04/07/16 10:18 am

Thanks for thinking of me missmorganmarie. :)

missmorganmarie ...
04/07/16 6:45 pm

anytime!! thanks for your wisdom and expertise!

Ducatiendo
04/05/16 7:29 pm

Absolutely not. And from a legal stand point it's also a NO.

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RyanX
04/04/16 11:24 pm

Genuinely difficult question, but I answered no. Having a DNR signed generally indicates someone is already in relatively frail condition, and the trauma of resuscitation (broken ribs, bruising, etc.) is often a very painful recovery for someone who is elderly and in weakened condition already. Of course all cases are unique, but signing the DNR is also a way of avoiding entering that condition, be it accidental or not.

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badattitude no place like home
04/04/16 10:47 pm

Wow, good question. What do the lawyers say?

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Domino3 Abolish the ATF
04/04/16 9:59 pm

I said yes, because it's by accident, but that's a tough one. I'm still not sure. Great question!

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emgwenn portland
04/04/16 9:29 pm

DNR means do not resuscitate.

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