Final answer:
To detect early signs of peritonitis in a child on peritoneal dialysis, nurses should watch for symptoms such as back pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and cloudiness in the dialysate. Early detection and treatment are crucial due to the severity of potential complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
To detect early signs of peritonitis in a child receiving peritoneal dialysis for renal failure, nurses should be vigilant for symptoms that may indicate inflammation of the peritoneum. Peritonitis is potentially life-threatening and requires prompt attention. The key signs to watch for include back pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It's also crucial to observe the dialysate for cloudiness, which can be a telltale sign of infection. Monitoring for these symptoms is vital as peritonitis can lead to severe complications, including sepsis and death. Early detection and treatment with antibiotics and potentially surgery are crucial to manage peritonitis and prevent further harm.
In addition to the above symptoms, the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria) should be considered a serious symptom requiring prompt medical evaluation. While kidney infections like pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis are also associated with back pain, fever, and nausea, the unique context of peritoneal dialysis and the possible visual changes in dialysate should be closely monitored to detect peritonitis specifically.