Discharge Instructions for Kidney Biopsy

Your doctor used a special needle to remove a small piece of tissue from your kidney to examine it for signs of damage and disease. A kidney biopsy is ordered after other tests have shown that there may be a problem with your kidney, when kidney disease is suspected, and to rule out cancer.

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You had a procedure called a kidney biopsy. Your doctor 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 doctor 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.
  • Don't soak in a bath, hot tub, or swimming pool until the site is fully healed or your doctor clears you.
  • 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 doctor when you can return to work. Tell them if your job involves heavy lifting.
  • Only use pain medicines recommended by your doctor.
  • 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 contact your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these:

  • Bright red urine, blood clots in your urine, or blood in your urine that is getting worse or lasting longer than 24 to 48 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 doctor
  • 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
  • Bandage that becomes soaked with blood
  • Overall pain that gets worse, with or without activity
  • Symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms

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