A nurse responds to the room of a client who is recovering from a cardiac arrest where CPR was performed. The client's child is distraught and tells the nurse that their parent has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) prescription in their medical record. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. "I should wait until I am terminally ill to complete my advance directives."

This statement is incorrect. It is advisable to complete advance directives before a critical or terminal illness occurs to ensure that one's preferences are known and respected in the event of incapacity.

B. "I must name a relative to make decisions for me in my health care proxy."

This statement is incorrect. While naming a relative is a common choice, individuals can choose any competent person as their healthcare proxy, and it does not have to be a family member.

C. "I can state in my living will which medical treatments I want done if I am terminally ill."

This statement is correct. A living will allows individuals to specify the medical treatments they wish to receive or avoid in the event they become terminally ill or incapacitated.

D. "I will make changes to my advance directives if I change my mind about anything."

This statement is correct. Advance directives are not permanent and can be changed or updated if the individual's preferences or circumstances change.

E. "I will need to complete a new living will each time I am hospitalized."

This statement is incorrect. Advance directives, including living wills, are generally not tied to a specific hospitalization. They remain in effect unless the individual chooses to update or change them.

A. Report the occurrence to the nursing supervisor:

While reporting the occurrence is important, verifying the DNR status takes precedence. The nurse needs to gather information and confirm whether the patient has a current DNR order before escalating the issue to a higher authority.

B. Complete an incident report stating the facts of the situation:

Completing an incident report is a part of the process, but it should not be the first action. The immediate concern is to determine if the patient has a valid DNR order. An incident report can be completed later to document the situation and any actions taken.

C. Verify the DNR prescription is current in the medical record.

Verifying the DNR (do-not-resuscitate) prescription is the first and most immediate action the nurse should take. It is crucial to confirm the current status of the DNR order to ensure that the healthcare team is following the patient's wishes. If the DNR is indeed valid and up-to-date, it means the resuscitation efforts, including CPR, were contrary to the patient's expressed wishes.

D. Request a meeting with the ethics committee:

Contacting the ethics committee may be necessary depending on the circumstances, but it is not the first step. Verifying the DNR status is an immediate action that can guide subsequent decisions. If there are ethical concerns or conflicts, involving the ethics committee can be considered after confirming the facts surrounding the DNR order.