Question

A client who has undergone liver transplantation 2 weeks ago, reports a temperature of 101 degrees F (38 degrees C) and right flank pain. What would be the nurse's best response?

A.) The immunosuppressant drugs you are taking may make you susceptible to infection.
B.) Take a pain- and fever-reducing medication, such as acetaminophen, every 4 hours until you feel better.
C.) You may be rejecting the transplanted liver, and should call the transplant team immediately.
D.) You should take an additional dose of cyclosporine today.

Answer 1

A client with a recent liver transplantation reporting fever and flank pain should be advised to contact the transplant team immediately due to the risk of infection or organ rejection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response to a client who has undergone liver transplantation 2 weeks ago and reports a temperature of 101 degrees F (38 degrees C) and right flank pain would be option C: "You may be rejecting the transplanted liver, and should call the transplant team immediately." This is because fever and pain may indicate an infection or possible organ rejection, which is a medical emergency following transplantation. Option A is true, but it does not address the urgent nature of the symptoms being reported. Option B is inappropriate without further assessment by a healthcare provider, and taking acetaminophen might mask symptoms without resolving the underlying cause. Option D is potentially harmful; altering doses of immunosuppressant drugs like cyclosporine without medical supervision could further complicate the client's condition.