What is the primary goal of Full Treatment in the POLST form?

• A. To prevent cardiac arrest using all indicated treatments
• B. To balance aggressive care with patient comfort
• C. To avoid invasive procedures completely
• D. To defer to medical control for all decisions

Answer: (A)

Full Treatment focuses on pursuing aggressive life-sustaining care to prevent death by cardiac or respiratory arrest, using all medically indicated treatments. This means, if the patient’s goals allow it, responders would initiate CPR and advanced resuscitation, provide ventilation and airway support, administer necessary meds, and transfer to higher levels of care as appropriate. The emphasis is on employing all indicated interventions to sustain or prolong life in line with the patient’s wishes.

This differs from other POLST levels. Balancing aggressive care with comfort is more aligned with a middle approach where some measures are limited to address comfort and symptom relief. Avoiding invasive procedures completely contradicts Full Treatment, which would include necessary invasive interventions if indicated. Devolving decisions to medical control for all actions isn’t how POLST orders operate—the patient’s or surrogate’s stated preferences guide the plan.