title: Allograft dysfunction post renal transplant.
abstract: This case illustrates the dilemmas encountered when diagnosing and treating renal allograft dysfunction. Two of the three intended patient outcomes have been achieved. The second outcome is partially achieved in that the patient has stable renal function but still has some allograft dysfunction related to chronic calcineurin inhibitor toxicity. The most important nursing interventions in this case were emotional support, patient education, and involvement of the patient and wife in the therapeutic decisions. Although clinical assessment is very important in the care of posttransplant recipients, the most definitive tool for diagnosing allograft dysfunction is renal biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Renal Transplant Department, University Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weiskittel
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003657:Decision Making; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous