kidney transplant

You are assigned to care for Tina, a 14-year-old who has just received a kidney transplant. She was fortunate to have received the kidney very quickly; she was not on the transplant list long. Tina’s grandmother, who is her guardian, states that she is concerned about taking Tina home because of all of the medications Tina will be taking. Tina tells you, “The other nurses keep trying to teach me about this medication called cyclosporine. My grandmother is nervous about my coming home. I wish I knew more about this drug so that she wouldn’t be so scared about taking care of me and my little brother, who is 4.”

1. Tina asks why she needs the cyclosporine and what the major effects of this medication are. What is your best response to Tina’s question?
2. Tina complains that she has always taken ibuprofen for headaches, but now that she has had the transplant and started cyclosporine therapy, the nurses will not let her take ibuprofen. She also wants to have her favorite drink, pink grapefruit juice. How should you respond?