Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam

An Expanded Criteria Donor (ECD) kidney is specifically characterized by kidneys obtained from donors who are typically over the age of 50 and may also present with certain health conditions, which can include hypertension, a history of cerebrovascular accident (stroke), or other comorbidities that might impact the quality of the organ. This classification helps transplant centers identify kidneys that, while not ideal, may still provide significant benefit to recipients in need of a transplant.

The emphasis on age and specific health conditions reflects a broader definition aimed at increasing the donor pool and addressing the shortage of available organs. The inclusion of these factors allows for a more comprehensive assessment of suitability beyond what might traditionally be considered for younger, healthier donors.

In contrast, kidneys from living donors, those from brain-dead donors of any age, or kidneys from donors with a recent history of diabetes do not fit the ECD framework, as they do not specifically recognize the limitations that come with age and certain health conditions as defining characteristics of ECD kidneys. Therefore, the focus on age over 50 along with specific health criteria distinctly defines an ECD kidney.