Discharge Instructions for Kidney Transplant Biopsy

You had a procedure called kidney transplant biopsy. Your doctor removed a small piece of tissue from your transplanted kidney. This is done to check it for signs of damage or rejection. Your doctor will learn the results of this biopsy within a few hours. If treatment is needed, it can start as soon as possible.

Home care

• Rest for  24 to 48 hours.

• Don’t drive for  24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

• Remove the bandage covering the biopsy site  24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

• Don’t shower for  24 hours after the biopsy. Instead, you may wash yourself with a sponge or washcloth. When you are able to shower, don’t scrub the site. Gently wash the area and pat it dry.

• Don’t lift anything heavier than  10 pounds for  3 to 4 days after the procedure.

• Ask your doctor when you can return to work. Be sure to tell them if your job involves heavy lifting.

• Don't do strenuous activities for at least  2 weeks. This includes jogging, contact sports, horseback riding, and heavy lifting. They will stress the kidney.

• You may have had to stop taking medicines before the biopsy. Ask your doctor when you can start taking them again. This is most important for medicines such as blood thinners.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your doctor, or as advised.

When to get medical care

Contact your doctor right away if:

• Your urine is dark red, brown, or has blood clots.

• You have trouble urinating. This includes:

  • Being unable to urinate.

  • Having to urinate very often.

  • Feeling an urge to go to the bathroom right away.

  • Having a burning feeling when urinating.

• You feel exhausted or extremely weak.

• You have bleeding or fluid leaking at the biopsy site.

• You have redness, pain, or swelling at the biopsy site that gets worse.

• The biopsy site opens.

• You feel dizzy or lightheaded.

• You have a fever of  100.4°F ( 38°C ) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.

• You have chills.

• You have pain that gets worse, with or without activity.