A patient with pancreatic cancer has stopped breathing and has no pulse. You have a POLST form. What should you do?

• A. follow the interventions as listed on the POLST
• B. ignore the POLST and resuscitate the patient
• C. contact medical control for guidance
• D. transport the patient immediately with supportive care only

Answer: (C)

The most appropriate action in this scenario is to follow the interventions listed on the POLST form. A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a legal document that outlines a patient’s preferences for medical treatment in emergency situations, particularly for patients with serious illnesses or conditions. This form is designed to convey the patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation and other treatment options such as intubation, feeding tubes, and other life-sustaining measures.

When you encounter a patient with a POLST form, it is crucial to adhere to the directives within that document. If the POLST indicates that the patient does not wish to receive resuscitation, then following the POLST means that you would not initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other life-saving measures. In such situations, this is a reflection of the patient’s autonomy and preferences regarding their end-of-life care.

Choosing to contact medical control can sometimes be relevant for clarification in certain scenarios, but in cases where a valid POLST is present, it ensures that the patient's wishes are respected without delay. Additionally, ignoring the wishes on the POLST or prematurely transporting the patient would go against the ethical and legal obligations to honor the expressed desires of the