American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which of the following is typically NOT considered for organ/tissue procurement?

1. Heart valves

2. Kidneys

3. Long bones

4. Reproductive organs

The correct answer is: Reproductive organs

Organ and tissue procurement typically focuses on various organs and tissues that can significantly enhance the quality of life for recipients or extend life. Heart valves, kidneys, and long bones are common components of tissue and organ donation due to their high demand and the positive impacts they have on patients waiting for transplants. In contrast, reproductive organs are not commonly considered for organ and tissue procurement. This is mainly because they have specific ethical, psychological, and practical implications associated with their donation. While they are vital for reproduction and can be significant for individual reproductive health, they do not serve the same transplant purposes as other organs and tissues that are more commonly used to treat life-threatening conditions. Hence, reproductive organs are typically excluded from procurement considerations in the same way that many other tissues and organs are routinely processed for transplant purposes. Understanding the context of ethical considerations, as well as medical need, helps clarify why reproductive organs do not fit into the common framework for organ and tissue donation.