Do Not Resuscitate Orders

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical directive indicating that if a person's heart stops beating or they stop breathing, medical staff should not perform CPR or other resuscitation efforts to revive them. DNR orders are typically put in place for individuals with serious health conditions who may not want aggressive interventions at the end of life. These orders respect the patient's wishes regarding their own care and are usually discussed between the patient, their family, and healthcare providers to ensure that everyone understands the implications.