Trivia Flashcards

Which immunosuppressant drug class works by blocking calcineurin to prevent T-cell activation?

Answer: Calcineurin inhibitors

Calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine block calcineurin, preventing IL-2 production and T-cell proliferation.

What is the primary purpose of the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing)?

Answer: Managing the national organ transplant system and waitlist

UNOS manages the national organ transplant system under contract with HRSA, maintaining the waitlist and matching policies.

A liver transplant recipient develops new-onset hypertension and nephrotoxicity. Which immunosuppressant is most likely responsible?

Answer: Tacrolimus

Tacrolimus (a calcineurin inhibitor) is a common cause of nephrotoxicity and hypertension in transplant recipients.

What does the term 'crossmatch' refer to in transplantation?

Answer: Testing recipient serum against donor lymphocytes for preformed antibodies

A crossmatch tests whether recipient serum contains antibodies that react against donor cells, predicting hyperacute rejection risk.

Which type of rejection occurs within minutes to hours after transplantation due to preformed antibodies?

Answer: Hyperacute rejection

Hyperacute rejection is mediated by preformed recipient antibodies against donor antigens and occurs immediately after perfusion.

What is the significance of Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) percentage in transplant candidates?

Answer: It indicates the percentage of donor pool against which the patient has antibodies

A high PRA means the recipient has antibodies against a large portion of potential donors, making compatible matching more difficult.

Which of the following is a classic sign of acute rejection in a kidney transplant recipient?

Answer: Oliguria, rising creatinine, and graft tenderness

Acute kidney rejection typically presents with decreased urine output, rising serum creatinine, and tenderness over the transplanted kidney.