2026 Kern County EMT Protocols Complete Practice Test

Do Not Resuscitate orders guide EMTs to withhold CPR and related life‑sustaining measures when the patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest, as long as the order is valid and properly documented. The key idea is to honor a current, legally recognized DNR in the field. Before acting, you verify the documentation—check that the form bears a physician’s signature, has a valid date, correctly identifies the patient, and clearly applies to the current situation. If there is any doubt about validity, you should contact medical control (and involve legal authority if required by policy) to confirm the correct course of action. When the DNR is valid, resuscitation is not initiated or continued, and you shift focus to comfort and supportive care within the scope of the order. If there is no DNR or if the order cannot be verified as current and applicable, you proceed with resuscitation per protocol. In Kern County, this verification and escalation process helps ensure respect for patient wishes while staying aligned with EMS policy.