The DNR medical abbreviation stands for do not resuscitate, a medical order saying that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should not be started if a person's heart stops beating or they stop breathing. It records a decision made ahead of time by the patient, or by a legal decision maker, together with the medical team.
DNR appears in the code status line of hospital charts, on wristbands in some facilities, in nursing home records and on portable out of hospital forms. A common misunderstanding is that DNR means no care at all. It does not. Medicines, oxygen, tests, comfort care and many other treatments continue unless they are limited by separate decisions.
At a glance
Stands for
Do not resuscitateAlso written as
DNAR (do not attempt resuscitation), and in some places AND (allow natural death)Covers
CPR: chest compressions, defibrillation shocks, rescue breathing and related steps during cardiac arrestDoes not cover
Other treatments such as antibiotics, fluids, pain control or oxygenWhere you see it
Code status line, admission orders, wristbands, long term care recordsOften paired with
DNI (do not intubate)Opposite
Full code, meaning all resuscitation efforts
What a DNR order actually covers
When someone's heart stops, a hospital team normally calls a code and begins CPR. That includes chest compressions, shocks from a defibrillator if the rhythm allows, medicines given during the arrest, and placing a breathing tube. A DNR order tells the team not to begin those steps. The person is allowed a natural death at that moment instead.
Everything before that moment can stay the same. A patient with a DNR order can be in an intensive care unit, receive surgery, get blood transfusions or start new medicines, depending on their goals. The order is narrow by design.
DNR, DNI, full code and comfort care compared
Code status choices can be combined, and the wording varies from hospital to hospital. This overview shows the common terms.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Full code | All resuscitation, including CPR and a breathing tube |
| DNR | No CPR if the heart or breathing stops |
| DNI | No breathing tube; other care, sometimes including CPR, may still be given |
| DNR/DNI | Neither CPR nor a breathing tube |
| CMO | Comfort measures only; focus shifts fully to comfort |
Because these terms are easy to blur, care teams usually confirm the exact choices with the patient or decision maker rather than relying on the letters alone.
Reading the DNR medical abbreviation in a chart
Admission note: Code status: DNR/DNI, confirmed with patient at bedside, health care proxy aware. This tells every staff member that, if the patient's heart stops, CPR and intubation should not be started, and that the patient personally confirmed the choice.
Hospitals usually show code status in a prominent place in the electronic record so that it can be found quickly. Nurses check it at handoff, and many units review it after any big change in a patient's condition.
Who decides and how the order is made
An adult who can make their own decisions chooses their code status after talking with their clinician about their health, the likely results of CPR, and their values. If the person cannot decide, a legal surrogate, such as a health care proxy, speaks for them based on what the person would want. A physician or other authorized clinician then writes the order.
A DNR order can be changed or withdrawn at any time by the patient or their decision maker. Rules about portable forms used outside the hospital differ by state, so families moving between care settings may need new paperwork.
Questions families often bring to the care team
- What would CPR involve for this patient, and how likely is it to help?
- Which treatments will continue with a DNR order in place?
- Does the order also include no breathing tube?
- How do we make sure the wish is known at home or in another facility?
Frequently asked questions
Does DNR mean do not treat?
No. A DNR order only means CPR will not be started if the heart or breathing stops. Other care, such as medicines, tests, oxygen and pain relief, can continue as usual.
What is the difference between DNR and DNI?
DNR means no CPR during cardiac arrest. DNI means do not intubate, so no breathing tube will be placed. Many patients choose both, written DNR/DNI, but they are separate decisions.
Can a DNR order be reversed?
Yes. The patient, or their legal decision maker if the patient cannot decide, can change code status at any time. The clinician then updates the order in the chart.
What does full code mean compared with DNR?
Full code means the team will use every resuscitation measure, including CPR, shocks and a breathing tube. It is the default when no other choice is recorded. DNR is a choice to decline CPR.
Is DNAR the same as DNR?
Yes, in practice. DNAR stands for do not attempt resuscitation and is used in some hospitals and countries to stress that CPR is an attempt, not a guarantee. Some places also use allow natural death.