Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Kidney Disorders Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Kidney Disorders related questions and content

A patient with chronic kidney disease is completing an exchange during peritoneal dialysis. The nurse observes that the peritoneal fluid is draining slowly and that the patients abdomen is increasing in girth. What is the nurses most appropriate action?

  • A. Advance the catheter 2 to 4 cm further into the peritoneal cavity.
  • B. Reposition the patient to facilitate drainage.
  • C. Aspirate from the catheter using a 60-mL syringe.
  • D. Infuse 50 mL of additional dialysate.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: If the peritoneal fluid does not drain properly, the nurse can facilitate drainage by turning the patient from side to side or raising the head of the bed. The catheter should never be pushed further into the peritoneal cavity. It would be unsafe to aspirate or to infuse more dialysate.