Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam

The first action of a coordinator when assessing spinal reflexes in a brain-dead donor involves performing a full neurological exam to confirm that there is no evidence of blood flow to the brainstem. This step is critical because demonstrating the lack of neurological function, particularly in the brainstem, is a key component in establishing brain death according to medical standards and guidelines.

A comprehensive neurological examination helps to rule out any potential reversible causes of coma or neurological impairment. In brain death determinations, spinal reflexes can still be present even in the absence of brain function, which is why it is essential to first ensure that higher neurological functions are not being mistakenly assessed as intact.

Assessing vital signs consistently, contacting the transplant team for evaluation, or initiating donor harvesting procedures should only occur after confirming the clinical criteria for brain death. The accuracy of the neurological assessment supports the ethical process of organ donation and safeguards against premature donor management procedures.