The postanesthesia care of an adult renal transplant recipient

Renal transplantation is the most common type of solid organ transplant performed in this country. For the PACU nurse, the immediate postoperative care of a renal transplant recipient can present a very unique and interesting challenge. Like all patients arriving to the PACU, the initial assessment of an immediate postoperative renal transplant recipient should first address the routine postsurgical concerns of airway, respiration, and hemodynamics. Most renal transplant programs have set protocols for the care required during the immediate posttransplant stay in the PACU. The postanesthesia nurse caring for these patients must become knowledgeable of these protocols. The following is a review of the immediate postanesthesia care for both the "fresh" renal transplant and the care of the long-term renal transplant recipient who has had surgery.