Infection in renal transplantation. The first six months.

Infection continues to be the number one cause of morbidity in terms of complications for the renal transplant patient. Overwhelming infection may lead to hypoxemia, sepsis, and cardiovascular instability, which necessitate intensive care nursing for the patient. Although the care may be similar to that of other patients with these pathophysiologic processes, the transplant patient has the added complication of iatrogenic immunosuppression. On the other hand, immunosuppressive therapy may be discontinued, if necessary, in order to save the patient's life. Therefore, if the renal transplant patient needs to be treated in the intensive care unit, it is primarily important for the nurse to monitor for signs and symptoms of the infections.