Question

In this case study, a friend's grandfather developed dementia and got moved to a nursing home. While there, he had a heart attack but eventually improved and returned to the nursing home. He stopped eating so the staff administered food and water. The family signed a DNR but he did not die so they asked the doctor to withdraw the food and liquid and he gradually died. Your questioner feels guilty because she did not prevent this decision. She suspects what the family did is illegal. Did she do the right thing? What should she do now?

- include biblical back up

-200 words

Answer 1

D N R or do not resuscitate order is a legally supported medical order written by the doctor , which states not to give cardio pulmonary resuscitation for that particular patient if he or she experiences a cardio pulmonary arrest . a doctior will get cosent from the patient ( if possible ) and patient next relative before choosing this treatment option .  

patient with terminal illness , patient with poor quality of life , patients who have severe irreversable illness or disabling conditions ,patient with incresed risk of cardiac or respiratory arrest are some of the candidate for DNR.

even with a DNR order , patient has a right to get basic medical support and care , such as oxygen administration , pain medication , emotional support , position and comfort , food , daily care etc . withdraw food and fluid to a DNR patient , inorder to promote his death is illegal and againist medical ethics , because DNR order will not stop to any degree of basic care and needs of the patient . the family members should be counseled about their decision regarding refusing food and fluids for the patient . if that not work she can go through legal process to save her grand father ' s basic needs .