Question

The nurse is working for a hospital that holds an agreement with a local organ procurement organization (OPO). The patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 and discussions have been held with the family about withdrawing life support. Which statement by the nurse best describes requirements that must be met to sustain Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation?
a.

"I need to notify TransLife (OPO) of my patient's impending death."

b.

"I will contact the physician to obtain informed consent for organ donation."

c.

"The charge nurse will notify TransLife (OPO) once the patient has been pronounced brain dead."

d.

"I need the physician to evaluate my patient's suitability for organ donation."

Answer 1

Answer:

d.     I need the physician to evaluate my patient's suitability for organ donation.

Explanation:

Every patient that needs to donate organ needs to undergo series of evaluation test to determine the suitability of the patient's health towards the organs to be harvested. The healther the organ the better for it to be used for donation to a patient on the waiting list.

It is the duty of the nurse working in the hospital to ensure that the patient is suitable for organ donation before contacting the organ procurement organization (OPO) which his hosptial has an agreement with. The nurse can only do this through reaching out to the hosptal physicians for the patient's evaluation.