Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam

The correct answer aligns with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) policy stipulating that donors after cardiac death (DCD) must either have died or be in a state where death is imminent. This criterion ensures that the process respects the ethical boundaries surrounding organ donation and focuses on the preservation of organ viability. If a donor is not dead or not in a state where death is imminent, organ procurement cannot ethically or legally occur.

The other choices do not accurately represent the specific criteria outlined by OPTN for DCD donors. While age might play a role in the overall suitability of donors, it is not a rigid criteria; therefore, stating a specific age limit does not encapsulate the broader guidelines for DCD. A history of organ donation is irrelevant to this specific category of donors, as the primary focus is on the immediate physiological status rather than previous donations. Viability of organs is certainly a consideration, but it follows the confirmation of death or imminent death rather than being a standalone criterion.