Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CCTN Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of abdominal organ recovery, the preferred vessels for cannulation are the inferior mesenteric or portal vein and the abdominal aorta.

When recovering abdominal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, it is essential to provide adequate blood flow and maintain perfusion during the organ procurement process. The portal vein and inferior mesenteric vein are significant because they drain the gastrointestinal tract and are crucial for ensuring the organs remain well perfused with oxygenated blood prior to retrieval. Cannulating the abdominal aorta allows for a good source of arterial blood flow, which is necessary to keep the organs viable during the recovery.

The involvement of these vessels is critical because they support the vascular supply to the organs, helping to preserve their function until transplantation. This makes the inferior mesenteric or portal vein and the abdominal aorta the correct choices for successful organ recovery procedures in the abdominal region.