End of Life Issues

Question 1

Difference between a health care proxy and a guardian

Answer 1

Health care proxy-someone you pick

Guardian-awarded by the court

Question 2

Revocation of a CC/DNR

Answer 2

Any damage done

Question 3

Who can issue a CC/DNR or MOLST?

Answer 3

Physian, NP or PA

Question 4

What shouldnt the EMS personnel do when receive a valid CC/DNR?

Answer 4

Do not resusitate
No CPR, no OPA, no ventillary assistance or artifical ventillation
Do provide palliative care, provide full treatment for unrelated conditions

Question 5

What is palliative care?

Answer 5

Emotional support
Suction airway 
Administer oxygen-but do not ventilate 
Splinting
Control bleeding
position of comfort 
Application of cardiac monitor

Question 6

Treatment of other conditions

Answer 6

If the patient is not in respiratory or cardiac arrest, the patient’s heart beat and breathing is adequate, but there is some other emergency illness or injury, the EMS personnel shall provide full treatment

Question 7

Advanced directives

Answer 7

Are legal documents

Only go into effect after a patient is declared incapabl of making their own medical decisions

Question 8

CC/DNR versus MOLST

Answer 8

CC/DNR: Documents that a medical order exists, always instructs DNR, orders about CPR only, honored by outpatient settings and EMTs
MOLST: A medical order form, may instruct to use OR not use treatments, orders about several types of life-sustaining treatments, honored across settings by all health professions

Question 9

Is a living will binding in Massachusetts?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

Are copies of the MOLST form valid?

Answer 10

Yes