Which follow-up is required after a kidney transplant?

• A. Stop follow-up after one month
• B. Follow up with transplant department and nephrologist
• C. Only follow up with a primary care physician
• D. Do not schedule follow-up if labs are normal

Answer: (B)

After a kidney transplant, ongoing follow-up with the transplant team and a nephrologist is essential to protect the graft. This care centers on closely monitoring kidney function (for example, creatinine and urine output), adjusting immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection while minimizing toxicity, and watching for complications such as infections, rejection episodes, hypertension, and cancer. Regular visits also allow timely lab checks, assessment of drug levels and side effects, and education on adherence and lifestyle that support long-term graft survival. This is a lifelong process because issues can arise at any time, and early detection improves outcomes.

Stopping follow-up after one month misses potential rejection, infection, medication toxicity, or other problems that can develop later. Relying only on a primary care physician can leave gaps in specialized immunosuppression management and graft surveillance. Even if labs are normal, problems can still emerge, and ongoing monitoring is needed to catch subtle changes and adjust therapy promptly. Therefore, continued follow-up with the transplant department and nephrologist is the recommended approach.