Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

Can organ and tissue donations be harvested from living donors?

1. No, only from cadavers

2. Yes, from both live donors and cadavers

3. Only from specific types of donors

4. No, donations can only occur posthumously

The correct answer is: Yes, from both live donors and cadavers

Organ and tissue donations can indeed be harvested from both living donors and cadavers, which makes this response accurate. Living organ donation is a well-established practice where individuals can donate certain organs, such as a kidney or part of their liver, while still alive. This type of donation typically requires careful medical assessment to ensure that the donor can safely undergo the procedure and that their health will not be adversely affected. Tissue donations, such as skin or bone marrow, can also be collected from living individuals, often for medical purposes such as grafting or transplantation. Additionally, cadaveric donations contribute greatly to organ transplantation, as deceased individuals can provide organs for patients in need. This dual-source approach is crucial in meeting the demand for transplants and underscores the importance of both living and deceased donors in the field of organ and tissue donation. The other options suggest limitations that do not reflect current practices in organ and tissue donation. For instance, stating that donations can only occur posthumously overlooks the benefits and successes of living donation.