Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following types of advance directives instructs medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest?

1. Legal proxy

2. Do-not-resuscitate order

3. Protected health information

4. Minimum data assessment

The correct answer is: Do-not-resuscitate order

The choice indicating a do-not-resuscitate order is correct because this specific advance directive clearly communicates a patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation efforts. A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order instructs medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. This directive is legally binding and is designed to ensure that medical staff respect the patient's preference for end-of-life care, prioritizing their autonomy and personal choices in critical health situations. In contrast, a legal proxy refers to a person designated to make healthcare decisions on another's behalf but does not specifically address resuscitation efforts. Protected health information involves the confidentiality and privacy of patient medical records and does not pertain to directives about resuscitation. The minimum data assessment is a set of data points used for evaluating patient conditions and care needs, unrelated to the specific wishes regarding resuscitation. Therefore, the do-not-resuscitate order is the only option that directly addresses the question regarding CPR instructions in the event of an emergency.