A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order specifies which action in an arrest?

• A. CPR should be performed if possible
• B. Ventilation must be provided
• C. Continue CPR until arrival of expert care
• D. CPR should not be performed if the patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest

Answer: (D)

Do Not Resuscitate means that if the patient goes into cardiac or respiratory arrest, life‑saving chest compressions and related resuscitation efforts should not be started. The goal is to honor the patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation, so in an arrest the medical team would refrain from CPR, defibrillation, and other aggressive resuscitation attempts. This does not mean stopping all care—the team can still provide comfort measures, symptom relief, and other treatments as appropriate.

The correct idea is that CPR should not be performed in an arrest. The other options would require initiating or continuing resuscitation or ensuring ventilation, which a DNR order does not authorize.