The do-not-resuscitate order. Moral responsibilities of the perioperative nurse

To provide care that is consistent with a patient's view of his or her best interests, the perioperative nurse must be a knowledgeable, informed member of the OR team. This knowledge must include familiarity with and understanding of all policies that relate to the care of the surgical patient--including DNR policies. The nurse must be willing to assert his or her moral agency in developing DNR policies that will eliminate potential conflict among the OR team members regarding patients with DNR designations. Only by being a knowledgeable moral agent can the perioperative nurse function as an effective advocate of the patient as a person.