DNR refers to an order to:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Explanation

DNR is the standard medical and legal abbreviation for 'Do-Not-Resuscitate'.
This is a specific advance directive, a medical order to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest.
A DNR order does not mean 'do not treat'; the patient continues to receive all other appropriate medical care, including comfort measures, pain management, and treatment for underlying conditions.
Some facilities may use the term 'Allow Natural Death' (AND) which has the same meaning but is framed more positively for families.

Option A: 'Do-Not-Revive' is a colloquial or layperson's term, not the official medical or legal terminology used for this type of advance directive.
Option B: 'Do-Not-Refer' is not a standard medical order and is unrelated to end-of-life care or emergency resuscitation procedures.
Option D: This is incorrect. A separate order, 'Do Not Intubate' (DNI), specifically addresses the refusal of endotracheal intubation. A patient can have a DNR order, a DNI order, or both.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Meaning of the medical abbreviation DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) and its clinical implications as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses have a critical ethical and legal responsibility to know, verify, and respect a patient's DNR status to ensure their end-of-life wishes are honored.
Misinterpreting a DNR order as 'do not treat' is a serious error that can lead to the withholding of appropriate and desired comfort care.
What if? A patient is admitted to the emergency department unconscious without any documentation, and they go into cardiac arrest. The default action is to initiate a full code (CPR) because, in the absence of a valid DNR order, the principle is to preserve life.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is to define the medical abbreviation 'DNR'.
This is a factual recall question common in nursing ethics and legal topics.
Evaluate each option against standard medical terminology.
Recall that 'Resuscitate' is the key term related to CPR, making 'Do-Not-Resuscitate' the most likely correct answer.
Differentiate DNR from similar but distinct concepts like DNI (Do Not Intubate) to eliminate incorrect options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Meaning of the medical abbreviation DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) and its clinical implications.
Stem keywords: DNR, order
Lead-in keywords: refers to
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 953-955

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 96-98

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 90-92

Practise the full IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.