CCTN Organ Procurement and Donor Evaluation

Question 1

Which criterion must be met before a patient can be declared brain dead for organ donation purposes?

Accepted Answer

Irreversible cessation of all brain functions including the brainstem confirmed by two physicians

Answer

Absent pupillary reflexes alone

Answer

Flat EEG for 24 hours

Answer

Cardiac arrest followed by resuscitation failure

Question 2

What is the role of an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) in the transplant process?

Accepted Answer

It coordinates organ donation, evaluation, allocation, and procurement from deceased donors

Answer

It provides immunosuppressive medications to transplant recipients

Answer

It manages the transplant waiting list

Answer

It performs transplant surgeries at regional hospitals

Question 3

Cold ischemia time refers to which period in organ transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Time between organ procurement and transplantation into the recipient

Answer

Time from cross-clamp to organ reperfusion in the recipient

Answer

Time the organ spends in warm conditions before preservation

Answer

Time from brain death declaration to procurement

Question 4

Which preservation solution is most commonly used for kidney preservation during cold storage?

Accepted Answer

University of Wisconsin (UW) solution

Answer

Normal saline

Answer

Lactated Ringer's solution

Answer

Phosphate-buffered saline

Question 5

Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) differs from Donation after Brain Death (DBD) in what key way?

Accepted Answer

DCD occurs after cessation of cardiac function rather than brain death declaration

Answer

DCD organs are only used for tissue donation

Answer

DCD requires family refusal of brain death criteria

Answer

DCD is only applicable in pediatric donors

Question 6

Which factor most significantly limits the acceptable cold ischemia time for heart transplantation compared to kidney transplantation?

Accepted Answer

The heart's sensitivity to ischemia makes the acceptable cold ischemia time much shorter (4–6 hours vs. 24–36 hours)

Answer

Heart size compatibility requirements

Answer

Heart transplants require more extensive HLA matching

Answer

Cardiac preservation solutions are less effective