Final answer:
The nurse should identify decreased urine output as an indication of kidney rejection in an adolescent who received a kidney transplant. This symptom directly reflects a deficiency in kidney function, which is critical for removing waste products and fluid from the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should recognize that an adolescent who received a kidney transplant and is showing signs of decreased urine output is likely experiencing kidney rejection. This is because proper kidney function is necessary to ensure that waste products and excess fluid are removed from the body through urine. Other symptoms associated with kidney rejection may include an increase in blood pressure due to fluid retention and activation of vasoactive hormones, a decrease in appetite, and a possible mild increase in body temperature. However, decreased urine output is a direct indication of kidney function deficiency.
Elevated blood pressure, while related to kidney function, is typically associated with fluid overload and the renin-angiotensin system rather than direct evidence of rejection. An increased appetite and weight gain are generally not associated with kidney rejection. Similarly, a mild increase in body temperature alone, without other symptoms, is not a reliable indicator of kidney rejection. Hence, decreased urine output should be identified by the nurse as an indication of possible organ rejection following a kidney transplant.