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What Are The Legal And Ethical Arguments For Do Not Resuscitate Order?

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An ethical argument for the Do-Not-Resuscitate Order
Mackenzie D. Burden
Rhodes State College
2-23-23
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Abstract
This essay is going to explore the moral and ethical dilemmas with the Do Not Resuscitate law.
(DNR). What is the Do not Resuscitate order? This is another word for “do not attempt.” It is stating that the patient is wishing for a natural death. For healthcare workers treating the patient, this means that the patient cannot receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if their heart stops beating or goes into cardiac arrest. It allows for a natural death for the patient. It is optional, but most patients who request a DNR are either terminally ill, having prolonged pain, or advanced age.
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Main Body
There are many legal implications …show more content…

One of the primary legal implications of DNR is respecting a patient’s autonomy. Legally, this shows that the patients have the right to refuse any type of treatment. There must also be some sort of informed consent. Informed consent means any patient must fully know all the risks and benefits. In this case, it would be talking about the risks and benefits of CPR. There also must be some type of legal documentation. It would be the Do-No- Resuscitate Order. This legal document will define and specifty the conditions in which CPR should be performed. They also could have signed another legal document known as a living will. A living will be a document that describes what you want done as treatment when you are incapacitated. It specifies the type and amount of medical care you wish to receive. If the living will be not signed by the patient incapacitated, it would then be the responsibility of spouses, and if not spouses, any other living family member.
Although there are many legal implications with DNR, there are also many moral dilemmas with this bioethical topic. …show more content…

The pros of this order are that the patient does not have to suffer, and they can be comfortable. The cons are that it can be seen as unethical, and it gives up any chance of revival and you cannot change your decision. In conclusion, the Do-Not- Resuscitate order is very important. It has a lot of moral dilemmas involved with it, as well as legal implications. It is a fatal bioethical topic. It is important to respect those wishes, and respect everyone’s decision in such a difficult time. I have learned multiple things about this topic, the big takeaway for me personally was the number of moral dilemmas involved. I was shocked at how many factors go into the order. My opinion has not changed on this topic. I still believe that the DNR order is moral, and I understand the suffering that the patients are going through. On the other hand, though, I do now understand why some people see it as an ethical issue.
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References
Ober, Vincent. (2005). “Legal Implications and Ethical Considerations of DNR Order”.
Fremgen, B. F. (2020). “Medical Law And Ethics.” Hoboken, Nj: Pearson Education.
Jones, A.L. (2011) “Use of Advance Directives in Long-Term Care Populations.”
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