Solid organ transplant is a growing treatment option for many end-stage diseases. Kidney, liver, pancreas, small bowel, heart, and lung organs are all transplanted in the United States, and a registry is maintained through the United Network for Organ Sharing (http://www.unos.org). The type of organ transplanted determines postoperative care of the patient and requirement for immediate care in a critical care setting. In most transplant centers, recipients of kidney transplants will receive postoperative care in an acute care floor, unless hemodynamic compromise during surgery is a concern or high acuity nursing care is unavailable in a step-down unit. All other transplant recipients will receive postoperative care in an intensive care unit (ICU) as a standard of care, which accommodates invasive monitoring strategies, the use of medication drips, intensive nursing care, and hemodynamic support.

Patients undergoing solid organ transplant require immediate suppression of their immune system to prevent rejection...

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