The nurse is caring for a 56-year-old female client with renal failure

The nurse is caring for a 56-year-old female client with renal failure who regularly undergoes per-itoneal dialysis. The nurse understands that this client is most at risk for:

1. Pulmonary embolism
2. Electrolyte imbalances
3. Polyuria
4. Urinary incontinence

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Peritoneal dialysis is an indirect method of cleansing the blood of waste products using osmosis and diffusion with the peritoneum functioning as a semipermeable membrane. This method re-moves excess fluid and waste products from the bloodstream when a sterile electrolyte solution (dialysate) is instilled into the peritoneal cavity by gravity via a surgically placed catheter. The dialysate remains in the cavity for a prescribed time interval and then is drained out by gravity, taking accumulated wastes and excess fluid and electrolytes with it. This places the client at risk for electrolyte imbalances.