Your patient, a 69-year-old male, is in cardiac arrest. His wife informs you that their physician has written a do not resuscitate order for the patient, but she does not have the written order. You should:

In this scenario, the correct choice is to provide all necessary care to save the patient's life. In emergency medical situations, the primary responsibility of the EMS provider is to ensure the patient's well-being and attempt to stabilize their condition. If a do not resuscitate (DNR) order is not presented at the scene, EMS providers are trained to administer lifesaving care, as they cannot confirm the validity of the DNR without the appropriate documentation.

Emergency medical services operate under the guideline that until there is clear and documented evidence of a DNR, care should be rendered as if the patient does not have such an order. The importance of having a written DNR is highlighted in this case; without it, the provider must act in the best interest of the patient, which means initiating resuscitative measures.

This approach not only aligns with medical protocols but also upholds the ethical obligation to attempt to save a life, especially in situations where there is uncertainty about the patient's wishes due to the absence of official documentation.