North Carolina CNA Written Practice Exam

What might happen if a DNR order is not properly documented?

1. All healthcare providers will be immediately notified

2. The patient may receive unwanted resuscitation efforts

3. The order becomes legally invalid

4. It can be overridden by any family member

The correct answer is: The patient may receive unwanted resuscitation efforts

If a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is not properly documented, the implications can be serious, particularly regarding patient care and respect for their wishes. The reason the choice about the patient potentially receiving unwanted resuscitation efforts is correct lies in the principle of patient autonomy and the legal obligations of healthcare providers. When a DNR order is clearly documented, it serves as a directive indicating the patient’s wish not to receive specific life-prolonging procedures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest. If the order is not documented, healthcare providers may not be aware of the patient’s preferences, leading them to initiate resuscitation efforts that the patient did not want. This unintended action can lead to distress for the patient and their family, prolonging suffering against the patient's wishes. The other options related to this question discuss aspects of communication or legal status that are not the primary concern in the context of improper documentation. While it’s important that all healthcare providers are informed (which is not guaranteed with poor documentation), or that family wishes are respected, the immediate and most critical issue at stake is ensuring the patient’s expressed wishes regarding their care are followed, which is directly linked to the risk