Final answer:
Cloudy dialysate effluent is typically an early sign of peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the peritoneum, usually caused by infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cloudy dialysate effluent is an early manifestation of peritonitis. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, often due to bacterial infection, and can occur as a complication for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The cloudiness is typically caused by the presence of white blood cells in the dialysate effluent, indicating an immune response to an infection.