A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving peritoneal dialysis for manifestations of peritonitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the first indication of peritonitis?
Abdominal pain
Cloudy effluent
Nausea
Fever
The Correct Answer is B
Rationale:
A. Abdominal pain: While abdominal pain can occur with peritonitis, it often develops after the initial changes in the dialysate effluent. Pain may also be related to catheter placement or dialysate temperature, so it is not the earliest definitive indicator.
B. Cloudy effluent: Cloudy dialysate is typically the first and most reliable sign of peritonitis in clients receiving peritoneal dialysis. It indicates the presence of white blood cells and infection in the peritoneal cavity before systemic symptoms appear.
C. Nausea: Nausea may occur later as part of the systemic inflammatory response, but it is nonspecific and can be caused by multiple factors, including the dialysis process itself or other gastrointestinal disturbances.
D. Fever: Fever is a later manifestation of peritonitis, often developing after local signs are present. It indicates systemic involvement and immune activation but is not the earliest detectable change.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Cleanse the insertion site of the drain using a circular motion toward the center: Proper technique involves cleaning from the least contaminated area (the center) outward to the surrounding skin, not toward the center, to prevent introducing pathogens into the wound.
B. Irrigate the wound with a low-pressure flow of solution: Low-pressure irrigation helps remove debris and exudate without damaging tissue or disrupting healing. It is a safe and effective method for cleansing an abdominal incision.
C. Irrigate the wound using a 10-mL syringe: Using a small syringe can create high-pressure flow, which may traumatize tissue. Larger volume syringes (e.g., 30–60 mL) with controlled, low-pressure flow are recommended for wound irrigation.
D. Cleanse the wound starting at the bottom and moving upward: Wound cleaning should proceed from the least contaminated area (top or center of the incision) toward more contaminated areas (periphery) to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the wound.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Give an antibiotic 30 min before dialysis: Some antibiotics may require timing adjustments around dialysis, but this depends on the specific drug and provider orders. Administering antibiotics is not universally required before each dialysis session.
B. Check the vascular access site for bleeding after dialysis: Monitoring the vascular access site for bleeding, swelling, or infection is a critical safety measure after hemodialysis. Proper assessment helps prevent complications such as hemorrhage or thrombosis.
C. Rehydrate with dextrose 5% in water for orthostatic hypotension: Fluid administration during or after dialysis must be carefully managed due to the risk of fluid overload. Standard rehydration with dextrose 5% in water is not routinely recommended for hypotension after dialysis.
D. Withhold all medications until after dialysis: Not all medications should be withheld; some are given before or during dialysis depending on their pharmacokinetics and dialysis clearance. Blanket withholding of medications can be unsafe and may lead to untreated conditions.
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