A nurse is teaching a patient who is about to undergo allograft transplantation of the liver. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the post-transplant medications?
a. "Immunosuppressants help reduce the risk of postoperative infection."
b. "I will need to have periodic laboratory work to assess for toxicity."
c. "I will need to take immunosuppressants until all signs of organ rejection are gone."
d. "These drugs will prevent organ rejection."
ANS: B
To prevent toxicity from high drug levels or organ rejection from low levels, blood levels of immunosuppressants should be checked periodically. Immunosuppressants do not prevent infection; they increase the risk of infection. Patients must take immunosuppressants for life. Immunosuppressants do not prevent organ rejection; they help minimize the risk.
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