Under normal circumstances, when should a nurse initiate CPR for a client?

Initiating CPR is a critical decision that relies on the presence or absence of specific medical directives. The correct choice emphasizes the importance of understanding Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) or Allow Natural Death (AND) orders. When no such order is documented, it indicates that there is an expectation for resuscitation efforts to be made if a client experiences cardiac arrest or shows no signs of life. This reflects the legal and ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers to act in accordance with a client’s wishes unless they are explicitly stated otherwise through a DNR or AND.

In clinical practice, nurses are trained to assess the situation and initiate CPR when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing or does not have a pulse, reinforcing the idea that proactive measures should be taken unless there is clear, documented direction against it.