Practice Question
The nurse is reviewing discharge teaching with a client following a liver transplant. Which statements by the client indicate correct understanding? (Select All that Apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
"I'll report yellowing of my eyes or dark urine to my provider."
Rationale:
💎 1. "I'll report yellowing of my eyes or dark urine to my provider."
💎 Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) and dark urine are early signs of biliary obstruction or organ rejection, meaning the transplanted liver is not functioning properly or is being attacked by the body’s immune system.
💎 These symptoms reflect rising bilirubin levels due to impaired bile drainage or hepatic injury. The nurse must teach the client to report these findings immediately for early medical intervention, as timely adjustment of immunosuppressive therapy can prevent graft loss.
💎 Ongoing monitoring of liver function tests (AST, ALT, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase) helps detect rejection early.
💎 Recognizing these warning signs supports long-term graft survival and prevents irreversible liver damage.
💎 2. "I should avoid people who are sick to reduce infection risk."
💎 After a liver transplant, clients are prescribed immunosuppressive medications such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine to prevent graft rejection. These drugs weaken the immune system, making the client highly susceptible to infections.
💎 Avoiding crowded areas, sick individuals, and anyone recently vaccinated with live-virus vaccines helps reduce exposure risk.
💎 The nurse should also educate the client on practicing meticulous hand hygiene, wearing a mask in public, and avoiding raw or undercooked foods that may harbor bacteria.
💎 Infection is one of the leading causes of post-transplant complications; thus, infection prevention is as critical as rejection prevention.
💎 3. "I will need to take immune suppressants for the rest of my life."
💎 Long-term or lifelong immunosuppressive therapy is mandatory to prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted liver as “foreign tissue.”
💎 These medications must be taken exactly as prescribed and at consistent times daily to maintain therapeutic blood levels and prevent acute or chronic rejection.
💎 Missing even a few doses can trigger rapid graft rejection, which may lead to organ failure or the need for another transplant.
💎 The nurse must emphasize regular follow-up visits, routine blood work, and medication adherence as key components of post-transplant care and survival.
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This question is from Ati Custom NSG2440 Med Surg 3 Exam 1 Fall 2025 which contains 44 questions.
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From Exam
Ati Custom NSG2440 Med Surg 3 Exam 1 Fall 2025
44 Questions
View Full Exam Start PracticingQuestion Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 5