The nurse is teaching a client about peritoneal dialysis. Which complication of this treatment would the nurse instruct the client to report?

  • bone pain
  • confusion
  • muscle cramps
  • cloudy outflow
Number 4 is correct.
Cloudy outflow is a sign of peritonitis, which is life-threatening if left untreated. Other signs include distention, pain, fever, and tenderness. The classic sign is a rigid, boardlike abdomen. Bone pain is a sign of dialysis encephalopathy. Confusion and muscle cramps occur with disequilibrium syndrome.