Читать книгу Understanding Anatomy and Physiology in Nursing - John Knight - Страница 21

Jack is a 32-year-old male who received a donor kidney following several years of renal dialysis. Five months after the transplant, he began to experience flu-like symptoms and was unusually tired. His temperature was slightly raised at approximately 38°C and he noticed that he was passing less urine than normal. Despite making a good recovery in the immediate post-operative period, Jack began to feel some tenderness over the transplant area. His wife made an appointment for Jack to see his GP who suspected that Jack may be rejecting the transplanted kidney. She contacted the transplant team who admitted Jack to hospital where a renal biopsy confirmed the GP’s suspicions. A high-dose steroid drug called methylprednisolone was given for three days and fortunately the rejection process was suppressed. After reviewing Jack’s medication and reminding him of the importance of taking his medication as prescribed, the team discharged him home.

Jack’s case study highlights the importance of patient vigilance following organ transplants; luckily the rejection of Jack’s transplanted kidney was suppressed before major damage to the transplanted organ could occur.