When can a family member override a signed Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order?

The correct answer highlights that only a legal healthcare proxy has the authority to override a signed DNR order. This is because the healthcare proxy has been designated by the patient to make medical decisions on their behalf, reflecting the patient's wishes and values in healthcare situations. When a patient designates someone as their legal healthcare proxy, that individual is entrusted with the authority to communicate and uphold the patient's preferences, including decisions related to resuscitation.

In contrast, other circumstances such as the patient's stable condition, verbal requests by the patient, or family disagreements with the medical team do not furnish a basis for overriding a DNR order. A stable condition does not alter the permanent nature of a DNR, and any verbal request by the patient might conflict with previously documented wishes unless clarified legally. Furthermore, disagreement from family members, without the legal authority given through a healthcare proxy designation, does not change the validity of a DNR order that has been appropriately signed by the patient. This emphasizes the importance of adhering to legally established healthcare directives, ensuring that patient autonomy is respected even in complex healthcare decisions.