Question

The nurse is educating a patient about the insertion of a catheter with a Dacron cuff for delivery of peritoneal dialysis. What rationale should the nurse provide detailing the benefit of this type of catheter?

A. To remove nonprotein solutes
B. To propel blood through the circuit
C. To prevent the migration of microorganisms
D. To act as a bridge between arterial and venous blood

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the patient that the Dacron cuff on a peritoneal dialysis catheter helps to prevent the migration of microorganisms, reducing the risk of infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should explain that the Dacron cuff on a catheter used for peritoneal dialysis serves primarily to prevent the migration of microorganisms into the peritoneal cavity. This is important because it minimizes the risk of infection, which is a common complication of indwelling catheters used for dialysis. Dialysis involves the removal of waste products, such as urea, from the blood due to reduced kidney function. Patients' blood is passed through a tube that acts as a semipermeable membrane, which allows urea to move out of the blood but does not let larger components like red blood cells escape. The Dacron cuff acts as a barrier to bacteria and other microorganisms, ensuring the site remains sterile and safe during the peritoneal dialysis process.