Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Narcan, or naloxone, is an opioid antagonist primarily used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. In the context of brain dead donors, it is administered to mitigate neurogenic pulmonary edema, a potential complication that can occur following brain death.

When brain death occurs, there can be a significant loss of central nervous system control over various bodily functions, including respiratory function and fluid balance. This can result in excess fluid accumulation in the lungs, known as neurogenic pulmonary edema. Administering Narcan can help alleviate this condition by blocking the effects of endogenous opioids that may contribute to fluid management and lung function during the critical period of organ recovery.

This intervention is crucial in the management of organ donors as it promotes better lung function and reduces the risk of complications, which enhances the viability of the organs for transplantation. Other potential choices focus on different aspects of the donor's condition and management, but they do not specifically address the urgent need to manage neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with brain death.