Which item is NOT required for a Comfort Care or Do Not Resuscitate order to be valid?

Which item is NOT required for a Comfort Care or Do Not Resuscitate order to be valid?

• A. Blood type
• B. Patient's name
• C. Date of issuance
• D. Signature and printed name of patient/guardian

Answer: (A)

The essential factor is that a Comfort Care/Do Not Resuscitate order must clearly identify the patient and confirm consent, not include medical details like blood type. The order should have the patient’s name to ensure it applies to the right person, the date of issuance to show it is current, and a signature with the printed name of the patient or guardian to authenticate the consent. Blood type has no role in validating or honoring a DNR in the field. In practice, a form may also require a physician’s signature or a witness, but those elements aren’t the focus of this particular validity check.

The essential factor is that a Comfort Care/Do Not Resuscitate order must clearly identify the patient and confirm consent, not include medical details like blood type. The order should have the patient’s name to ensure it applies to the right person, the date of issuance to show it is current, and a signature with the printed name of the patient or guardian to authenticate the consent. Blood type has no role in validating or honoring a DNR in the field. In practice, a form may also require a physician’s signature or a witness, but those elements aren’t the focus of this particular validity check.