The nursing assistant is caring for a resident who has an "Allow Natural Death" (AND) order and has made their oldest child the durable medical power of attorney. The resident stops breathing, and the oldest child present tells the nursing assistant to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). What is the appropriate action for the nursing assistant to take?

Question

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The Patient Self-Determination Act is the basic legal act that assures the individual the right to make decisions and have these decisions followed. The resident has secured an "AND" order, and the resident's wishes supersede the oldest child who is the durable medical power of attorney (the person who can make medical decisions on behalf of another). The best action for the nursing assistant to take is to notify the RN immediately for help explaining the situation to the oldest child and to offer support. The nursing assistant would not attempt CPR. Trying to explain that the AND is the resident's wishes takes the nursing assistant away from providing comfort measures for the dying client, such as raising the head of the bed and applying oxygen. Once this situation at hand is dealt with, it can be determined whether clergy is needed.

The Nursing Assistant Is Caring for a Resident Who Has