What does the Selective Treatment option in the POLST Form allow?

• A. Immediate invasive ventilation.
• B. Non-invasive positive airway pressure, IV fluids, antibiotics, vasopressors, and antiarrhythmics as indicated.
• C. Surgical interventions beyond standard care.
• D. No treatments at all.

Answer: (B)

Selective Treatment on a POLST form is about allowing non-invasive, reversible care that can address an illness or condition without committing to invasive life-sustaining measures. It supports treatments that can be given without ICU-level, invasive procedures, while avoiding aggressive interventions that involve intubation or surgery.

So it would permit non-invasive airway support, IV fluids, antibiotics, vasopressors, and antiarrhythmics as indicated, because these can treat common reversible issues without mandating invasive rescue measures. It would not authorize immediate invasive ventilation, surgical interventions beyond standard care, or a no-treatment approach.