How to Help Someone Recover From a Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is major surgery, and proper postoperative care is vital to help ensure the success of the procedure. Providing good home nursing care to your loved one is indispensable.

Things You'll Need

• Betadine Swabs
• Journals
• Blood Pressure Monitors
• Thermometers

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Instructions

• 1

  Help the patient with his medications, which should be taken at the same time each day. For the first month, he may be tired and a bit unfocused. Make a chart of medicines and the times you give them.

• 2

  Take his temperature and blood pressure twice a day, at the same time each day, and write them down in a journal. Before breakfast and dinner is best.

• 3

  Encourage him to move around. Lend your arm to steady him for a walk around the house four times a day.

• 4

  Avoid the surgical site when helping him to move around. Take care not to apply pressure to the incision and surrounding area.

• 5

  Measure urine output, and mark the total in a health journal. (Have a man use a urinal, and have a woman try placing a plastic "hat" under the toilet seat to catch the urine.)

• 6

  Keep the incision clean. Wipe the site with a betadine swab, or follow whatever procedure recommended by your transplant coordinator.

• 7

  Prepare nutritious, high-fiber, low-salt meals.

• 8

  Listen to your loved one, who may feel depressed or frightened and may need to talk. Consider contacting your transplant coordinator for professional counseling.

• 9

  Learn the signs and symptoms of rejection and infection. Report them to the transport coordinator immediately.

• 10

  Prevent infection. Wash hands frequently, especially when you return home after shopping and other errands. No one who is sick or getting over an infectious illness should visit.