Peritoneal Dialysis Access and Management

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering the purpose, procedure, nursing care, and complications of peritoneal dialysis access.

PD catheter

A flexible hollow tube about the size of a straw that is surgically placed in the abdomen which uses the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and a dialysate solution to clean the blood.

PD catheter healing period

The best amount of time to wait for the catheter site to heal before use, which is 10-14 days, although it can be used immediately.

Dwell time

A period lasting 4 to 6 hours during which the dialysis solution stays in the abdomen; the client is free to move around during this time.

Exchange of Solution

The process of exchanging the dialysis solution, which typically takes 30-40 minutes.

Nursing interventions for PD

Includes teaching good hand hygiene, wearing a mask when accessing port site, avoiding tight clothing, and inspecting access sites daily for infection.

Peritonitis

An infection that can develop in the abdomen as a result of peritoneal dialysis.

Clinical signs of peritonitis

Includes a swollen/distended abdomen, pain and tenderness in the abdomen, cloudy dialysis drain fluid, an exit site that is red and has pus, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Peritonitis treatment

Treated with antibiotics, which can be administered inside of the dialysate solution.

Blood movement in PD

Unlike other forms of dialysis, the patient's blood does not leave the body during this process.