Final answer:
The priority assessment for a nurse caring for a patient post-kidney transplant is looking for flank or abdominal pain, which can indicate organ rejection. Monitoring urine output and serum creatinine levels is also crucial for detecting changes in kidney function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse caring for a patient postoperative day 4 following a kidney transplant should prioritize assessing for flank or abdominal pain when looking for potential signs and symptoms of rejection. This is crucial as pain in these areas may indicate an acute rejection episode. Other important assessments include monitoring the quantity of the patient's urine output, which may decrease during rejection due to impaired kidney function. Additionally, the nurse should monitor serum creatinine levels, as a sudden increase can indicate a decline in graft function. It is also essential to observe the patient's incision site for any signs of infection, which can present risks for the transplanted kidney.
Assessment of abdominal girth may also be relevant, but would more likely relate to other complications such as bleeding or fluid accumulation rather than organ rejection. It is important for the healthcare team to review aloud the key concerns for the recovery and care of the patient post-transplant, to ensure all potential issues are swiftly identified and managed.