腎臟移植手術對於末期腎衰竭患者而言,是一勞永逸的最佳途徑。因爲不僅是節省醫療成本的支出,另外在照顧的人力與時間上的耗費也可有所改善,甚至患者的生活品質都可大幅提升。但是當受贈者體內接受了一個新的腎臟準備回家前,如何讓病患了解移植是一種生活改變的經驗,他們需要學習認識服用的藥物,而且在生活型態上亦會有許多改變,包括衛生習慣、預防感染、監測腎功能、身體心像改變、情緒改變上的適應以及就業等問題,這是整個醫療照護小組人員必需與患者共同努力的重點,故在此提供居家護理衛教應注意的內容,期能做爲護理人員在照顧此類患者時的指引。
The advantages of kidney transplantation are reversal of many of the pathophysiologic change associated with renal failure as normal kidney function is restored, increase the opportunity to normal life activities, and lower medical costs than dialysis. But home care activities to protect the new kidney are challenging medical teams, the patient and their family members. This article is summary of the home care required for the kidney-transplanted patient, including the rejection sign detection, self-monitoring of kidney functions, immunosuppressive drug instruction, personal hygiene to prevent infection, dietary, ADL, and sexual activities. The medical teams are responsible to tailor the instructions based on the patient's needs; to strengthen the patient's self-care abilities and to adjust the patient's lifestyle as necessary to avoid compromising the new kidney.