Running head: ORGAN TRANSPLANT 1

Organ Transplant

Ammon Jensen

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Nursing 422

Brother Sanders

January 14, 2017

ORGAN TRANSPLANT 2

Organ Transplant

The average life expectancy of both sexes in the United States in the year 1900 was 47.3

years, and in the year 2000, the average life expectancy of both sexes was 76.8 years (Arias,

2016). The drastic rise in life expectancy in the last 100 years has been increased by the

discoveries in science and health. Organ transplantation was an innovation that has greatly

increased the life expectancy in the United States and other modern countries. This paper will

discuss the key points of organ transplantation.

Brief History

The use of skin substitutes or grafts was reported as early as the 15th century BC. In the

1800s more surgeons were beginning to discover new ways to graft the skin. In 1825, Carl

Bunger, a surgeon, documented the first successful modern skin transplant. From that time on,

skin grafting became a popular practice among surgeons (Dougherty & Spear, 2015, p. 92).

Successful kidney transplantation did not occur until 1950 which was performed by Dr. Richard

H. Lawler (Lawler et al., 1951, p.45). Up to this point in time, the transplantable organs are the

cornea, kidney, heart, heart valves, liver, lungs, small intestine, the pancreas, islet cells, tendons,

cartilage, and bone marrow (Lewis et al., 2014, p. 220).

Matching

The difference between success and failure in a transplant is in the matching of antigens

found within the donor and the recipient. In the human body, we have the human leukocyte

antigens (HLA). This system of antigens helps protect the body from foreign tissues or objects.

The series of antigens present in the HLA are A, B, C, D, and DR. In order to know who is a

possible donor and recipient, the compatibility is on the antigens A, B, and DR (Lewis et al.,

2014, p. 219). To find out if the donor was a match for the recipient, blood is obtained from both
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and their serum is tested to see if there is compatibility. Crossmatching significantly decreased

the rate of rejection (Patel & Terasaki, 1969, p. 735).

Role of the Nurse

Associated with both the organ donor and the recipient are nurses. The nurse will work

with the donor to provide support and understanding of the risks. The nurse working with the

recipient of the organ will also receive support and associated risks with the procedures. They

will also help prepare the patients for the procedures. Another key element of the nurses role is

to monitor for rejection of the transplant. Early notification of the rejection could change the

outcome (Bengan, 2015)

Goals and Outcomes

The need for transplantation of an organ comes when an organ starts to fail. The failure of

an organ can cause complications and make life difficult. Loss of function in certain organs such

as the heart can reduce the quality of life of an individual and possibly a whole family. By having

a successful procedure, the quality of life can be restored and lives can be saved.

Conclusion

Organ transplantation is an effective way of increasing the quality of life and helping

reduce the loss of life. Many have been influenced by this procedure in the many years that it has

been around. It has increased the life expectancy in many individuals and is reflective of the

advanced science age that is the year 2017.

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References

Arias, E. (2016, April 20). Changes in life expectancy by race and Hispanic origin in the United
States. Retrieved January 14, 2017, from
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db244.htm

Bengan, K. (2015, June 22). The Role of Nurses in Organ Transplants. Retrieved January 16,
2017, from http://www.nursingexaminer.com/nursing-articles/the-role-of-nurses-in-
organ-transplants/

Daugherty, S., & Spear, M. (2015). Skin and Skin SubstitutesAn Overview. Plastic Surgical
Nursing, 35(2), 92-97.

Lawler, Richard H., et al. "Homotransplantation of the kidney in the human: Supplemental report
of a case." Journal of the American Medical Association 147.1 (1951): 45-46.

Lewis, S., Dirksen, S., Heitkemper, M., Bucher, L. (2014). Medical-Surgical Nursing:
Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, 9th Edition. [Bookshelf Online].
Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323086783/

Patel, R., & Terasaki, P. I. (1969). Significance of the positive crossmatch test in kidney
transplantation. New England Journal of Medicine, 280(14), 735-739.