title: [Applying Mishel's Uncertainty Theory to the Care of a Patient After Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Care Experience].
abstract: Kidney transplantation greatly benefits end-stage renal disease patients, as they no longer must bear the torment of hemodialysis. However, the effectiveness of living-donor kidney transplantation is often negatively impacted by various complications, which patients may learn to control through related self-care strategies. However, lack of information on these complications and related strategies may lead to feelings of uncertainty and worries over the prognosis. This article discusses a nursing experience with a patient who underwent living-donor kidney transplantation and who suffered from immense uncertainty and prognosis-related worry. Based on the assessment framework of Mishel's uncertainty theory, the authors identified the cause of the subject's uncertainty and offered thorough information regarding post-transplant care. During the period of care, the subject gained self-care knowledge and skills. Furthermore, he learned to apply self-recording, a technique that enabled him to self-monitor the progress of his disease progress, which reduced his sense of insecurity significantly. Ultimately, the subject turned uncertainty into motivation in order to actively participate in his treatment and to maintain optimum health status.
authors.affiliation: BSN, RN, Graduate Student, Graduate Institute of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ting-Nien
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: PhD, RN, Professor, College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, ROC. chiuchu@kmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chiu-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000451:nursing*; D019520:Living Donors; D008875:Middle Aged; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: living-donor kidney transplantation; post-transplant care; uncertainty theory