A patient is an organ donor. What is the nurse's role?

• A. Decide for family
• B. Delay decision making
• C. Respect the patient/family wishes, preserve organs, and coordinate with the organ procurement organization
• D. Perform organ retrieval

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the nurse acts to honor the patient’s autonomy, preserve organ viability, and coordinate with the organ procurement organization. Supporting donation involves respecting the patient’s or family’s wishes and, when appropriate, the patient’s documented donor status, while keeping the patient’s condition stable to maximize the organs’ potential. The nurse should promptly notify the organ procurement organization (OPO) and work with them to evaluate suitability, obtain consent if needed, and arrange the donation process. The bedside nurse does not make the decision for the family, does not delay care for the sake of donation, and does not perform organ retrieval—these steps are handled by the OPO and surgical teams. This approach ensures ethical, coordinated, and clinically appropriate management of potential donors.