Can a physician be one of two witnesses for a patient’s DNR?

Can a physician be one of two witnesses for a patient’s DNR?

• A. No
• B. Only if the physician is not involved in the patient’s care
• C. Yes
• D. Only if another independent witness is present

Answer: (C)

The important idea here is who can serve as witnesses to a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Two witnesses are required to validate the signing, and a physician may be one of those two witnesses. This reflects that the physician who orders or confirms the DNR can also attest to the patient’s or surrogate’s intent by witnessing the signature. The other witness must be an appropriate adult who meets the usual requirements, but there’s no rule that prohibits the physician from being a witness or that an independent witness must accompany them beyond the two required witnesses. So a physician can indeed be one of the witnesses.

The important idea here is who can serve as witnesses to a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Two witnesses are required to validate the signing, and a physician may be one of those two witnesses. This reflects that the physician who orders or confirms the DNR can also attest to the patient’s or surrogate’s intent by witnessing the signature. The other witness must be an appropriate adult who meets the usual requirements, but there’s no rule that prohibits the physician from being a witness or that an independent witness must accompany them beyond the two required witnesses. So a physician can indeed be one of the witnesses.