One of the following medicine to be taken on long-term basis by a patient with kidney transplant is :

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Explanation

Kidney transplant recipients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy to prevent the body's immune system from rejecting the new organ.
Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) are a fundamental part of this long-term maintenance regimen, working by suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting T-cell activation.
They are used to prevent both acute and chronic rejection, ensuring the long-term survival and function of the transplanted kidney.

Option B: Not used routinely for long-term prophylaxis; they are prescribed short-term to prevent or treat active infections, especially in the immediate post-operative period.
Option C: Not a standard long-term medication for all kidney transplant recipients. Their use is indicated only if the patient has a separate co-morbidity requiring anticoagulation, such as atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis.
Option D: This therapy (IVIG) boosts the immune system or treats immune deficiencies. Its action is contrary to the goal of immunosuppression needed to protect the transplanted organ.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Long-term immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Patient education on the critical importance of lifelong medication adherence is a primary nursing responsibility to prevent graft loss.
Nurses must monitor for the extensive side effects of long-term corticosteroid use, including hyperglycemia (steroid-induced diabetes), osteoporosis, hypertension, and increased risk of infection.
What if? If a patient on long-term corticosteroids develops a serious bacterial infection, the immunosuppressive regimen may need to be temporarily reduced (never stopped completely without consulting the transplant team) while aggressive antibiotic therapy is initiated.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: long-term medication for a kidney transplant patient.
Recall the primary challenge after any organ transplant: preventing the recipient's immune system from rejecting the foreign organ.
This requires long-term suppression of the immune system.
Evaluate each option based on this goal: Corticosteroids are powerful immunosuppressants. Antibiotics fight infection. Anticoagulants prevent clots. Gamma globulins often boost immunity.
Conclude that the only drug class fitting the primary goal of long-term immunosuppression is corticosteroids.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Long-term immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplantation.
Stem keywords: kidney transplant, long-term basis, medicine
Lead-in keywords: One of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 312-314

Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.