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DNR

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:22 pm
by Henriettab
A difficult question
If someone in their 90s has Stage 4 ckd , then gets acute kidney failure, has vascular dementia, is on an IV drip for infection- not sure if sepsis but not a UTI-possibly infection from leg ulcers, fractured spine, cataracts and nearly deaf
At what point do Drs decide to withdraw treatment if there is a DNR in place?

Re: DNR

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 12:33 am
by Tibbs
From my understanding, nothing is withdrawn on DNR, you just don't get rescuscitated if you go into cardiac arrest or something else happens and your heart stops.

Deciding to withdraw is a whole other thing and usually covered off by a living will or similar. If they don't have one then it will be discussed by the doctors with the family or whoever has power of attorney. Doctors won't just withdraw feeding or other care unilaterally.

source: my experience

Re: DNR

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:58 pm
by SKM23435
Agree with Tibs.
DNR is a do not resuscitate order.
It does not relate to other treatments - just resuscitation.
So if the person who has one (your dad I assume) has a cardiac arrest he will not be resuscitated (in effect brought back from the dead) but all other treatments are not covered by this.

Re: DNR

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 7:35 pm
by Henriettab
Thank you .