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