In peritoneal dialysis, which finding most strongly suggests catheter-related infection?

In peritoneal dialysis, which finding most strongly suggests catheter-related infection?

• A. Cloudy effluent outflow with fever or abdominal pain
• B. Clear effluent with stable vitals
• C. Increased urine output
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (A)

Cloudy dialysate outflow, especially when accompanied by fever or abdominal pain, strongly points to catheter-related infection causing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis. The cloudiness indicates an inflammatory response with bacteria or elevated white cells in the dialysate, which is a hallmark of infection inside the peritoneal cavity. This finding demands urgent evaluation, including sampling the effluent for culture and initiating appropriate antibiotics per protocol to prevent sepsis and preserve the catheter. If the effluent is clear and vitals are stable, infection is unlikely at that moment. Increased urine output doesn’t indicate infection, and weight gain is more related to fluid status or other factors rather than an infectious process.

Cloudy dialysate outflow, especially when accompanied by fever or abdominal pain, strongly points to catheter-related infection causing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis. The cloudiness indicates an inflammatory response with bacteria or elevated white cells in the dialysate, which is a hallmark of infection inside the peritoneal cavity. This finding demands urgent evaluation, including sampling the effluent for culture and initiating appropriate antibiotics per protocol to prevent sepsis and preserve the catheter.

If the effluent is clear and vitals are stable, infection is unlikely at that moment. Increased urine output doesn’t indicate infection, and weight gain is more related to fluid status or other factors rather than an infectious process.