Patient education in renal transplantation

Renal transplantation is the surgical implantation of a human kidney from a compatible donor into a recipient. Renal transplantation is a means of restoring renal function to normal in most patients, thus allowing a return to a healthy lifestyle. Patients and their families often ask nurses for health information. Professional nurses must ensure that patients and families understand the transplantation and therapeutic regimen and provide health education. It should be remembered that certain physiological, psychosocial and pathological conditions might inhibit the education process. Before renal transplantation the patient's understanding of the procedure and follow-up regimen and also the patient's ability to cope with a complex medication regimen are assessed. The nurse and the patient and family should work together to set realistic, achievable goals, the aims of which are mutually agreed. The agreed goals of health education should be documented in a care plan, which will also provide reinforcement for both the nurse and patient.