Question

When fluid accumulates in the abdomen during PD, what problem does the client experience first?

a) Nausea
b) Difficulty breathing
c) Abdominal pain
d) Skin discoloration

Answer 1

The accumulation of fluid in the abdomen during PD typically first leads to difficulty breathing due to increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When fluid accumulates in the abdomen during peritoneal dialysis (PD), the problem that the client experiences first is often difficulty breathing (b). This is because the fluid in the abdomen can exert pressure on the diaphragm, making it hard for the lungs to expand fully during inhalation. Symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and skin discoloration may also occur, but typically the initial concern would be the impediment of normal respiratory function due to the increased intra-abdominal pressure.