Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(DNACPR) Evaluation
Please read the case studies and then answer the questions that follow.
Case study 1:
An 82-year-old lady falls at home and sustains a fractured neck of femur.
Whilst in hospital she develops a severe chest infection and her condition
deteriorates rapidly. It is felt that in the event of a cardio-pulmonary
arrest, resuscitation is unlikely to be successful and it is decided that a
decision about resuscitation needs to be made:
1. Who should be involved in making this decision?
2. Should her family be asked if they think she should be
resuscitated?
3. If a DNACPR order is made should the treatment for the
chest infection now be automatically stopped?
Case study 2:
A 60-year-old man who has advanced Multiple Sclerosis is admitted to
hospital with Unstable Angina. On admission he tells staff that he does
not want to resuscitated. After a long discussion with the medical staff it
is established that if he went into a shockable rhythm he would actually
like to be treated but he would not want prolonged resuscitation in the
event of going into a non-shockable rhythm:
1. Can a DNACPR order be completed for this Gentleman?
2. What course of action should be taken to ensure this man’s
wishes are complied with?
Case Study 3:
A 30-year-old man is brought to the Emergency Department after
breaking his leg play rugby:
1. Should he be asked if he wants to be resuscitated?
2. In the unlikely event of him having a cardiac arrest what
should you do?
Case Study 4:
A 79-year-old lady with moderate dementia is admitted to hospital having
a heart attack. It is decided that a decision about resuscitation needs to
be made. Although she has a poor mental state, she is still fairly
physically active and it is felt that CPR is likely to be successful:
1. Who should decide if she is to be resuscitated?
2. Who should be included in this discussion?
3. Do the relatives legally have a say in the final decision?
Case Study 5:
A 56 year old man with lung cancer, bone, liver and brain mets is admitted
to hospital severely jaundiced and agitated. His family wanted him to die
at home but couldn’t cope with the agitation. On the ward round it is
acknowledged that he is dying and is for comfort measures only. While
he is on the commode he suddenly collapses. The staff nurse then
realises that the doctor has forgotten to fill out the DNACPR form.
1. Should the nurse call the resuscitation team?
Answers:
Case study 1:
1. The whole team including relevant others should be involved with
the discussion but the final decision lies with the Consultant/GP.
2. Relatives should not be burdened with making a DNACPR decision
but they may have useful information that helps to reach the
decision.
3. A DNACPR order only refers to cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and
not to other treatments.
Case study 2:
1. A DNACPR order cannot be completed on this gentleman.
2. He should be encouraged to have an advanced directive completed
with all his preferred treatment options. In the meantime the
discussion and treatment plan should be well documented and
communicated to all staff.
Case Study 3:
1. Cardiac arrest cannot be anticipated so he should not be asked.
2. Resuscitate.
Case study 4:
1. The most senior member of the medical team at that time.
2. All staff and any relevant others.
3. Only any officially appointed proxy’s or welfare guardian’s legally
have a say – not relatives.
Case study 5
1. No. If no DNACPR documentation exists CPR should be
attempted unless the patient is in the terminal phase of an illness. An
experienced nurse can make this judgement in an emergency.