A patient who performs dialysis at home using a catheter placed through the abdominal wall reports nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fluid discharge from the catheter site. The laboratory reports reveal an increased white blood cell count (WBC). Which condition does the nurse suspect in the patient?
Peritonitis
Pericarditis
Pleuritis
Intraperitoneal bleeding
The Correct Answer is A
A. This is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. It's a common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Fluid discharge from the catheter site and an increased white blood cell count are also indicative of infection, supporting the diagnosis of peritonitis.
B. This is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart. Symptoms typically include chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat.
C. This is inflammation of the pleura, the membranes surrounding the lungs. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and dry cough.
D. This would present with severe abdominal pain, hypotension, and signs of shock. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are not typical symptoms.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. This is a pre-renal cause of acute kidney injury, related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys.
B. This is a post-renal cause of acute kidney injury, as it obstructs the outflow of urine.
C. This is an intrarenal cause of acute kidney injury, directly affecting the kidney tissue.
D. This is an intrarenal cause of acute kidney injury, related to damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This method is the most reliable for measuring fluid retention. Weight changes are a direct indicator of fluid balance because fluid retention or loss affects body weight. By comparing the client's current weight to their post-dialysis weight, you can determine the amount of fluid they have retained.
B. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels are indicators of kidney function rather than fluid volume status. Elevated levels can indicate worsening kidney function but do not directly measure fluid retention or overload.
C. While assessing skin turgor and peripheral edema can provide some clues about fluid overload, these signs are less precise and subjective compared to weight measurements. Skin turgor changes and edema can be influenced by various factors, including skin elasticity and other conditions, making them less reliable for accurately measuring fluid volume changes since the last dialysis.
D. Crackles in lung sounds can indicate pulmonary congestion due to fluid overload, but this method is not as precise for quantifying the amount of fluid retained. Crackles suggest fluid accumulation in the lungs, which is a sign of more severe fluid overload but does not provide a specific measurement of fluid volume compared to changes in body weight.
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