CHT Organ & Tissue Allocation 2

Question 1

What is a 'zero-antigen mismatch' kidney in UNOS allocation policy?

Accepted Answer

A kidney with no mismatches at HLA-A, -B, and -DR compared to the recipient

Answer

Zero-antigen mismatch (0-MM) kidneys have no mismatches at HLA-A, -B, and -DR antigens between donor and recipient and are shared nationally under UNOS policy due to superior outcomes.

Question 2

Which organ has the shortest clinically acceptable cold ischemia time, requiring the fastest allocation decisions?

Accepted Answer

Heart

Answer

Hearts have a cold ischemia tolerance of only 4–6 hours, requiring rapid allocation and transportation to minimize ischemic injury.

Question 3

In the context of living donor kidney transplantation, what is a 'paired kidney exchange' program?

Accepted Answer

Incompatible donor-recipient pairs swap donors with other incompatible pairs to create compatible matches

Answer

Kidney paired donation matches incompatible living donor-recipient pairs with other pairs so that each donor gives to a compatible recipient from another pair.

Question 4

What does 'cold ischemia time' refer to in organ transplantation?

Accepted Answer

The time from organ cooling/flushing at procurement until the clamp is removed and blood flow is restored in the recipient

Answer

Cold ischemia time begins when the organ is flushed with cold preservation solution and ends at reperfusion in the recipient, representing the total ischemic insult during hypothermic storage.

Question 5

Which US law established the framework for organ transplantation, prohibited organ sales, and created the OPTN?

Accepted Answer

National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984

Answer

NOTA established the legal framework for transplantation in the US, created the OPTN, prohibited the sale of organs, and mandated equitable organ sharing.

CHT - Certified Histocompatibility Technologist Practice Test

CHT - Certified Histocompatibility Technologist Practice Test

CHT Organ & Tissue Allocation 2