We're back again, looking to help clarify any unknown or confusing health care terms that you may have come across. Feel free to review some of the past terms explored in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.
Let's get started:
Code Status: This term is usually used within the hospital and refers to the direction you give to health care professionals in regards to how you would like them to react if you stop breathing, or if your heart stops beating. A physician will inquire from you how to act in such circumstances. Options could be that your code status is "DNR" or that you are "full code".
Full code: Refers to the direction to resuscitate or take measures to revive you if you stop breathing or your heart stops beating. Generally it is assumed that individuals are full code, unless other direction is provided and a specific discussion has occurred stating otherwise(i.e DNR).
DNR: An acronym for Do Not Resuscitate. If it is your wish, A DNR order is written which will instruct health care providers to not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if you stop breathing or your heart stops beating. This option tends to be the decision of those who are near the end of life or those who have an illness which will not improve.
CPR: Stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which are measures taken to revive you if you stop breathing or if your heart stops beating. Such measures could include:
Mouth to mouth resuscitation with chest compressions
Electric shock to restart the heart
Inserting a breathing tube to open airways