A patient wants to donate organs after cardiac death. One hour after the withdrawal of life support the patient continues to breathe shallowly and has a slow heartbeat. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. There is no need to reintubate the patient when death is imminent.
2. This does not need to be done because the maximum amount of time has passed.
3. This does not need to be done because the maximum amount of time has passed.
4. An hour is considered the maximum acceptable interval between withdrawal of support and recovery of organs for minimizing ischemic damage. In the process of consent for organ donation, the patient would be allowed to die without resuscitation. However, if the patient continues to breathe with a heart rhythm for 60 minutes, then organ donation is no longer an option and the patient receives palliative care while death occurs naturally.

A Patient Wants to Donate Organs After Cardiac Death