A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order placed in a personâs medical record by a doctor informs the medical staff that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPRâsee see Cardiac Arrest: First-Aid Treatment) should not be done. This order has been useful in preventing unnecessary and unwanted invasive treatment at the end of life.ther treatments (for example, antibiotic therapy, transfusions, dialysis, or use of a ventilator) that may prolong life can still be provided. Depending on the person's condition, these other treatments are usually more likely to be successful than CPR.