DNR: Whose right to choose? Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) is an order written by a doctor or written in an advance directive initiated by a patient. The Self-Determination Act of 1990 established a patient's right in certain situations where they may not be able to make crucial medical decisions due to incapacity (Geppert, 2010). Orders given by the patient instruct medical personnel not to perform life-saving measures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A DNR order may also be specific to a medical facility, depending on state law a patient may be able to choose the type of DNR order they wish to receive. Many patients have these orders decided long before they are needed, as the patient must be of sound mind to make these decisions. (“Comfort care,” 1995-2013) The reasoning behind this act is due to the many medical advances made in life-saving treatments. With new cardiopulmonary techniques a person can continue to operate the heart and lungs regardless of other body functions or conditions. DNR orders now allow the patient to make a conscientious decision about what they would like to be done regarding life-saving measures. Various life-saving measures can prolong the inevitable but do not improve patients' health status or achieve the same quality of life as before. (“DNR,” “nd”)Many people don't like to talk about these issues or feel they are too young to worry about things like advance directives. These orders should be established and made clear to patients before they become terminally ill or face emergency situations in which they would not be able to make such decisions for themselves. In circumstances where patients do not have a DNR order in the middle of the paper order (DNR). (“nd”). Retrieved from http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.comDo not resuscitate orders and comfort care. (1995-2013). Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.orgDo not resume orders. (1998). Retrieved from http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/dnr.htmlGeppert, C. (2010). Saving life or respecting patient autonomy: The ethical dilemma of DNR orders in patients attempting suicide. The Internet Journal of Law, Healthcare and Ethics, 7(1). Retrieved from http://ispub.comLegal guidance for do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. (2013). Retrieved from www.mhlac.org/Docs/legal_guide_dnrTaylor, C.R., Lillis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P. (2011). Values, ethics and defense. In Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art of Nursing Science (7th ed., pp. 84-107). Philadelphia, PA Baltimore, MA New York, NY: Wolters kluwer Lipincott Williams and Wilkins.