A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is experiencing a cardiac arrest. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to an assistive personnel?

A. A client with schizophrenia exhibiting apathy may require attention, but it may not be an immediate priority unless there are signs of deterioration or safety concerns.

B. A client with an anxiety disorder appearing restless may be experiencing distress, but it is not necessarily indicative of an immediate safety or crisis situation.

C. A client with major depressive disorder reporting hopelessness raises significant concern, as it may indicate an increased risk of self-harm or suicide. Clients expressing hopelessness should be assessed promptly to determine the level of risk and implement appropriate interventions.

D. A client with bipolar disorder exhibiting provocative behavior may pose a potential risk, but the level of urgency is typically higher for a client expressing hopelessness and depressive

A. Report the occurrence to the nursing supervisor:

While reporting the occurrence is important, verifying the DNR status takes precedence. The nurse needs to gather information and confirm whether the patient has a current DNR order before escalating the issue to a higher authority.

B. Complete an incident report stating the facts of the situation:

Completing an incident report is a part of the process, but it should not be the first action. The immediate concern is to determine if the patient has a valid DNR order. An incident report can be completed later to document the situation and any actions taken.

C. Verify the DNR prescription is current in the medical record.

Verifying the DNR (do-not-resuscitate) prescription is the first and most immediate action the nurse should take. It is crucial to confirm the current status of the DNR order to ensure that the healthcare team is following the patient's wishes. If the DNR is indeed valid and up-to-date, it means the resuscitation efforts, including CPR, were contrary to the patient's expressed wishes.

D. Request a meeting with the ethics committee:

Contacting the ethics committee may be necessary depending on the circumstances, but it is not the first step. Verifying the DNR status is an immediate action that can guide subsequent decisions. If there are ethical concerns or conflicts, involving the ethics committee can be considered after confirming the facts surrounding the DNR order.