What should a nurse do if an order seems unclear?

Choice A rationale
Contacting the patient’s family for approval before resuscitation is not appropriate when there is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. A DNR order is a legal document that indicates the patient’s wish not to undergo resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Healthcare providers must respect this order and not seek additional approval from family members.
Choice B rationale
Respecting the order and refraining from initiating resuscitation is the correct action when there is a DNR order. This legal document reflects the patient’s decision to forgo resuscitation efforts, and healthcare providers are obligated to honor this decision to respect the patient’s autonomy and wishes.
Choice C rationale
Ignoring the order and proceeding with resuscitation is a violation of the patient’s rights and wishes. A DNR order must be followed to ensure that the patient’s preferences are respected, and disregarding it can lead to legal and ethical consequences.
Choice D rationale
Implementing the order only if the patient is in the ICU is incorrect. A DNR order applies in all healthcare settings, not just the ICU. Healthcare providers must follow the DNR order regardless of the patient’s location within the healthcare facility.

Choice A rationale
Providing an opportunity for team members to ask questions is important for effective communication and teamwork, but it is not the primary action to verify the correct patient, procedure, and surgery. This action is more related to ensuring that all team members are on the same page and can clarify any doubts, but it does not directly verify the patient’s identity and procedure.
Choice B rationale
Discussing personal matters unrelated to the surgery is incorrect and unprofessional. It does not contribute to verifying the correct patient, procedure, and surgery. This action can lead to distractions and potential errors in patient care.
Choice C rationale
Reviewing the surgical instruments and equipment is important for ensuring that the necessary tools are available and functioning properly, but it does not directly verify the patient’s identity and procedure. This action is more related to the preparation and readiness of the surgical team.
Choice D rationale
Confirming the patient’s identity and procedure is the correct action to verify the correct patient, procedure, and surgery. This involves verifying the patient’s identity using at least two identifiers, confirming the procedure with the patient or their representative, and ensuring that the correct procedure is on the schedule. This step is crucial to prevent wrong-site, wrong- procedure, and wrong-patient surgeries.