A nurse is planning care for a client who has lung cancer and who requests a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) prescription. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

When a client with lung cancer requests a do-not-resuscitate prescription, the appropriate nursing action is to discuss the client's wishes with the interprofessional team. A DNR order is a legally and ethically complex decision that requires collaboration among the physician, advanced practice provider, social worker, palliative care team, and other relevant professionals to ensure the client's wishes are documented, honored, and carried out appropriately. The nurse's role includes advocating for the client and facilitating this communication within the care team. Verifying that the family agrees with the client's DNR request is inappropriate because a competent adult has the autonomous right to make their own medical decisions, and family agreement is not a prerequisite. Requesting a provider's prescription to discontinue chemotherapy goes well beyond the scope of a DNR request; a DNR addresses resuscitation only and does not imply that all other treatments must be stopped. Counseling the client to postpone the DNR prescription is paternalistic and violates the client's right to self-determination. The nurse should not discourage a client from exercising their legal and ethical right to refuse resuscitation. Interprofessional collaboration ensures the order is appropriately executed while honoring the client's autonomy and values throughout their care.