DNR Orders and POLST/MOLST Forms
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order specifically addresses CPR preferences. A POLST or MOLST form is a broader, physician-signed medical order translating your treatment wishes into specific, actionable instructions for emergency responders and medical staff — generally recommended for those with serious illness, not for the general healthy population.
For most healthy adults, an advance directive is enough. For those with serious illness or advanced frailty, these more specific medical orders often become relevant too.
DNR: a specific instruction
A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order specifically addresses one situation: whether you want CPR performed if your heart stops or you stop breathing. It doesn’t address other medical decisions on its own.
POLST/MOLST: a broader, actionable medical order
A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) or MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) — the specific name depends on your state — is a more comprehensive, physician-signed medical order. It typically covers:
- CPR preferences (similar to a DNR)
- Preferences about hospitalization and levels of medical intervention
- Feeding tube and other life-sustaining treatment preferences
Because it’s a signed medical order rather than a general statement of wishes, it’s meant to be immediately followed by emergency responders and medical staff in real time.
Who typically needs one
These forms are generally recommended for people with a serious illness or advanced frailty, where specific, immediately actionable orders are more relevant than a general advance directive. They’re not typically necessary for otherwise healthy adults, who are usually well served by a standard advance directive instead.
How to get one
A POLST/MOLST form requires a conversation with, and signature from, your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider — it’s not a form you complete entirely on your own, unlike a standard advance directive.
Availability and exact naming (POLST vs. MOLST vs. other state-specific names) vary by state. Talk to your doctor about whether this is appropriate for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What does DNR actually mean?+
Do Not Resuscitate — an order specifically indicating you do not want CPR performed if your heart stops or you stop breathing.
What is a POLST or MOLST form?+
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (or Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, depending on the state) — a broader, physician-signed medical order translating your wishes into specific instructions beyond just CPR, such as preferences about hospitalization or feeding tubes.
Do I need a POLST/MOLST form if I'm generally healthy?+
Generally no — these forms are typically recommended for people with a serious illness or advanced frailty, where specific, immediately actionable medical orders are more relevant than general advance directive language.
How is this different from an advance directive?+
An advance directive is a legal document expressing your wishes generally; a POLST/MOLST form is an actual physician-signed medical order, meant to be immediately followed by emergency responders and medical staff, not just a statement of preference.
Sources
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