How to Help Someone Recover From a Liver Transplant | eHow.com

How to Help Someone Recover From a Liver Transplant | eHow.comIntroduction
Long-term survival for liver transplant requires excellent home nursing care and family support. Your participation can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection of the new liver.
Instructions
Difficulty: Challenging
Steps
1Step OneHelp the patient with medications, which should be taken at the same time each day. For the first month, she may be tired and a bit unfocused. Make a chart of medicines and the times you give them.
2Step TwoTake her temperature and blood pressure twice a day, at the same time each day, and write them down in a journal. Before breakfast and dinner is best.
3Step ThreeEncourage her to move around. Lend your arm to steady her for walks.
4Step FourAvoid smacking against the new liver, the surgical site or the abdomen. Avoid the surgical site when helping her to move around. Take care not to apply pressure to the incision and surrounding area.
5Step FiveMonitor the color of stools, and make sure her bowels are moving regularly. Clay-colored stools or constipation lasting longer than two days should be reported to the transplant coordinator.
6Step SixKeep your patient's incision and T-tube clean. Wipe the site and tube insertion site with a betadine swab, or follow whatever procedure recommended by your transplant coordinator.
7Step SevenPrepare nutritious, high-fiber, low-salt meals.
8Step EightListen to your loved one, who may feel depressed or frightened and may need to talk. Consider contacting your transplant coordinator for professional counseling.
9Step NineLearn the signs and symptoms of rejection and infection. Report them to the transport coordinator immediately.
10Step TenPrevent infection. Wash hands frequently, especially when you return home after shopping and other errands. No one who is sick or getting