CTBS Donor Screening & Eligibility — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of donor screening in tissue banking?
- To speed up tissue collection.
- To ensure the donor's health and tissue safety (Correct answer)
- To minimize tissue donations.
- To verify tissue compatibility.
Correct answer: To ensure the donor's health and tissue safety
The purpose of donor screening in tissue banking is paramount for safeguarding recipient health and ensuring tissue safety. This comprehensive process involves evaluating the donor's medical history, lifestyle, and conducting infectious disease testing to identify any potential risks that could compromise the quality or safety of the donated tissue. It is a critical step in preventing disease transmission and ensuring successful transplantation outcomes.
Question 2: Which of the following is a key element of donor eligibility screening?
- Only reviewing the donor's medical history.
- Medical history, physical exams, and lab tests (Correct answer)
- Only checking the donor's age.
- Only testing for infectious diseases.
Correct answer: Medical history, physical exams, and lab tests
Key elements of donor eligibility screening include a thorough review of the donor's medical history to identify contraindications, a physical examination to assess overall health and detect signs of disease, and comprehensive laboratory tests. These lab tests typically screen for infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. This multi-faceted approach ensures the highest level of safety for donated tissues.
What is the purpose of donor screening in tissue banking?