A client is in the ICU following a kidney transplant. The nurse recognizes signs of acute rejection and responds by which action?

A client is in the ICU following a kidney transplant. The nurse recognizes signs of acute rejection and responds by which action?

• A. Monitor urine output
• B. Contact the healthcare provider
• C. Administer antibiotics
• D. Increase IV fluids

Answer: (B)

When acute graft rejection is suspected, the priority is to get the transplant team involved right away. Acute rejection is an immune-mediated process that can quickly compromise the transplanted kidney, so prompt evaluation and adjustment of immunosuppressive therapy are essential to protect graft function. The nurse’s first action is to notify the healthcare provider to order the necessary tests and treatments, such as labs to assess kidney function and possibly a renal biopsy to confirm rejection and guide therapy. Monitoring urine output is part of ongoing assessment, but it doesn’t address the underlying rejection. Antibiotics target infection, not rejection. Increasing IV fluids may help with perfusion in some situations but does not treat rejection and could worsen fluid overload, so it’s not the primary response to suspected acute rejection.

When acute graft rejection is suspected, the priority is to get the transplant team involved right away. Acute rejection is an immune-mediated process that can quickly compromise the transplanted kidney, so prompt evaluation and adjustment of immunosuppressive therapy are essential to protect graft function. The nurse’s first action is to notify the healthcare provider to order the necessary tests and treatments, such as labs to assess kidney function and possibly a renal biopsy to confirm rejection and guide therapy.

Monitoring urine output is part of ongoing assessment, but it doesn’t address the underlying rejection. Antibiotics target infection, not rejection. Increasing IV fluids may help with perfusion in some situations but does not treat rejection and could worsen fluid overload, so it’s not the primary response to suspected acute rejection.