If the drainage from a peritoneal dialysis outflow catheter is cloudy, what should the nurse check first?

When a nurse identifies cloudy drainage from a peritoneal dialysis outflow catheter, the initial step should be to check the client’s white blood cell count. Cloudy drainage is often an indication of peritonitis, which is an infection of the peritoneal cavity. The white blood cell count can provide critical information about the client’s immune response and the possibility of infection.

Elevated white blood cell counts, particularly if they indicate a higher proportion of neutrophils, can help confirm the diagnosis of peritonitis, guiding further actions such as the need for antibiotic therapy and adjustments in the dialysis process.

Assessing the white blood cell count first ensures that any necessary interventions are based on immediate and relevant clinical data, allowing for the swift management of a potentially serious condition. Other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not prioritize the immediate need to assess the extent of any infection present.