KEY ASSESSMENTS
- Assess for hemodynamic stability with blood pressure and pulse
- Assess general appearance to rule out acuity
- Assess for abdominal pain and any localizing symptoms
- Observe dialysis exchange drain fluid for color and clarity
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- Rule out peritonitis
- Obtain patient history, investigate potential causes including:
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- Status post peritoneal catheter placement
- In menstruating females, assess menstrual cycle to consider retrograde menstruation or mid-cycle ovulation
- Inquire regarding any recent procedures: colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, cardiac catheterizations2
- Consider surgical causes such as cholecystitis, rupture of the spleen, or pancreatitis
- Consider medical causes such as coagulation disorders, polycystic kidney disease, leakage of hematoma outside of peritoneal cavity, post extracorporeal lithotripsy for kidney stones, rupture of ovarian or hepatic cysts, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis1
- Recent use of intraperitoneal tPA
