When death appears imminent, nurses may introduce the discussion of withholding or withdrawing life sustaining interventions, such as CPR, intubation, and ventilation. There are two common ways that nurse begin a discussion of these interventions (Norton&Talerico, 2000). One of them is as follows: The state requires that all people receive CPR (even when it is unlikely to be of any benefit to the person unless a DNR order is written. This is often an easier way to begin the discussion if the family has not completely
Acknowledged that the patient is probably dying. However, it may prevent the family from acknowledging and discussing the nearness of the patient's death. Another common approach is to acknowledge that the patient is gravely ill, probably dying, and ask the family which vision of the patient's death would be in the patient's best interests: one in which they were surrounded by family with the lights lowered and were receiving medication for pain and symptom relief, or one in which they were personnel who were provide surrounded by healthcareing CPR. A discussion of the likelihood of survival following CPR should also be included.