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Discharge Instructions for Kidney Biopsy

You had a procedure called a kidney biopsy. Your healthcare provider used a needle to remove a small piece of tissue from your kidney. The tissue will be checked for signs of damage and disease. A kidney biopsy is done if other tests have shown that there may be a problem with your kidney. A kidney biopsy is also done if a healthcare provider thinks you may have kidney disease or to check for cancer.

Home care

  • Rest for 24 to 48 hours.

  • Don’t drive for 24 to 48 hours.

  • Don’t shower for 24 hours. If you wish, you may wash with a sponge or washcloth. When you are able to shower, don’t scrub the site. Gently wash the area and pat it dry.

  • Remove the bandage from the biopsy site 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

  • Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 3 to 4 days.

  • Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to work. Tell them if your job involves heavy lifting.

  • If you take blood-thinner medicine (anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicine) and you stopped taking it a few days before your procedure, ask when you can take it again.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

  • Blood in your urine for more than 24 hours after the biopsy

  • Unable to pass urine

  • Extreme tiredness

  • Extreme weakness

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

  • Sudden or worse shortness of breath

  • Sudden chest pain

  • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

  • Chills

  • Redness, tenderness, pain, or swelling at the biopsy site that gets worse

  • Opening up of the biopsy site

  • Fluid or bleeding from the biopsy site

  • Overall pain that gets worse, with or without activity

  • Symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms

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