DNR

1 of 2

noun

ˌdē-ˌen-ˈär 

plural DNRs

: a medical order or a written representation of such an order indicating that a person should not be resuscitated if their breathing or heart stops

especially : a legal document indicating that a person does not want to be resuscitated if their breathing or heart stops and that must be signed by an authorized health care professional (such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant)

The patient had signed a DNR.

Oftentimes, residents who choose DNRs are terminally ill or so frail that their body cannot handle the sometimes brutal side effects of CPR, like cracked ribs or torn organs.

—Hope Dean

compare advance directive, molst, polst

DNR

2 of 2

abbreviation

1

department of natural resources

This year, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completed a 35-year ground survey to document rare species in every county.

—Jennifer Bjorhus

2

do not resuscitate

When patients, doctors, families, and nurses decide that a patient's condition is terminal and that heroic measures only prolong suffering, physicians generally write a do not resuscitate (DNR) order.

—Suzanne Gordon

Word History

Etymology

Noun

do not resuscitate

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

DNR

1 of 2 abbreviation

do not resuscitate

Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are designed to allow for withholding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest. DNR status is often linked to patients with severe illness, advanced age, poor disease prognosis, and deteriorating health status with impending death.

—Albert Alhatem et al., Clinics in Dermatology

DNR

2 of 2 noun

: a medical order or a written representation of such an order indicating that a person should not be resuscitated if their breathing or heart stops

especially : a legal document indicating that a person does not want to be resuscitated if their breathing or heart stops and that must be signed by an authorized health-care professional (such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant)

Medically assisted suicide is legal only in select states, which also differs from passive assistance where a physician does nothing to prevent suicide. Passive assistance is often equivalent to honoring a DNR.

—Kelvin Tren et al., The Cureus Journal of Medical Science

If you already have a DNR and your doctor has it on file, your loved ones can't override it. If you don't yet have a DNR, you may name someone to speak for you, such as your healthcare proxy.

—Cleveland Clinic

compare advance directive, molst, polst

Legal Definition

DNR

abbreviation

do not resuscitate