During peritoneal dialysis, which finding indicates a malfunction in the system?

During peritoneal dialysis, which finding indicates a malfunction in the system?

• A. The client reports rectal pain on infusion of the dialysate
• B. More dialysate returned than was infused
• C. BP decreases
• D. There is a leak of fluid onto the dressing in the bed

Answer: (D)

In peritoneal dialysis, the dialysate should stay inside the peritoneal cavity during the dwell and then be drained out. A leak of dialysate onto the dressing shows the fluid is escaping from the catheter tract or another breach in the system, so the treatment can’t function properly. This direct loss of dialysate indicates a malfunction that can also raise infection risk and reduce the effectiveness of dialysis. Other signs don’t point as clearly to a system leak. Rectal pain during infusion could indicate organ irritation or another complication, not a straightforward system malfunction. More dialysate returning than was infused could suggest measurement issues or an abnormal communication, but it’s less specific to a leak. A drop in blood pressure might result from fluid shifts during dialysis but doesn’t by itself prove a PD system problem.

In peritoneal dialysis, the dialysate should stay inside the peritoneal cavity during the dwell and then be drained out. A leak of dialysate onto the dressing shows the fluid is escaping from the catheter tract or another breach in the system, so the treatment can’t function properly. This direct loss of dialysate indicates a malfunction that can also raise infection risk and reduce the effectiveness of dialysis.

Other signs don’t point as clearly to a system leak. Rectal pain during infusion could indicate organ irritation or another complication, not a straightforward system malfunction. More dialysate returning than was infused could suggest measurement issues or an abnormal communication, but it’s less specific to a leak. A drop in blood pressure might result from fluid shifts during dialysis but doesn’t by itself prove a PD system problem.