What are the nursing responsibilities in peritoneal dialysis?

Answer 1

to administer medications to oversee and coordinate care, ensuring treatment and access of sites is done correctly with safety checks done, charting is correct and completed, physician orders carried out, labwork drawn as needed or per protocols or orders, that social work or dietitian or other ancillary services are involved in patient care, to run the clinic, answer phones if no secretary available such as very early morning hours to monitor vital signs and observe for ill effects and intervene as necesssary even if this means calling the physicians or 911. these are just some of the responsibilities...

Answer 2

During recovery period,

- The surgical dressing is changed once a week for 2 to 4 weeks unless there is drainage. ( but it depend on the condition)

- Dressing changes are done daily once the exit site of the catheter is healed.

- The patient may experience bruising and discomfort after the access is placed for about one to two weeks, nurse can explain to the patient

Risks:

- Infection around the catheter site for example:Peritonitis which is a infection in the lining of the abdominal wall

- Severe pain in the rectum or perineum due to problems with the catheter

- Mild Back pain and bloating of the abdomen during the procedure

- Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, caused by a thick layer of fibrin inside the peritoneum that obstructs bowels

After care:

- The access should be cleaned and monitored daily.

- Drainage, swelling or redness around the access site may indicate infection.

- Scabs that occur at the exit site should never be picked or removed.

- The catheter should be regularly checked for cracks as it may lead to infection.

- The end of the catheter should be secured to the skin or dressing to avoid any tugging and tension.

- The patient should not swim before the exit site is healed.

- Using hot tubs should be avoided.

- The patient should consult the doctor about using any cream or powder around the exit site, and taking showers.

- The patient should report any pain or infection symptoms to the doctor.