Page 393 - Critical Care Nursing Demystified

378 CRITICAL CARE NURSING DeMYSTIFIED

Solution
bag

Peritoneal
dialysis
solution

Peritoneum

Connector

Catheter

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bag

FIGURE 8–5 • Peritoneal dialysis.

In PD, a warmed dialyzing solution in what looks like a super-large intrave-
nous bag is attached to a specially inserted abdominal catheter that is made of
soft plastic. The PD catheter is surgically placed with use beginning immediately.
There is no contraindication for immediate dialysis after placement like there
is with HD, AV grafts and shunts. The intraperitoneal catheter exits usually
above the umbilicus and can be flushed with heparin and capped in between
PD treatments (see Figure 8–5).
Complications of the PD catheter can include
Bleeding from surgery or heparin used to keep it patent
Peritonitis leading to systemic infection and sepsis
Clotting of the catheter with fibrin and debris from dialysis