Caring for Your Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter
The dressing on your abdomen should stay clean, dry, and firmly taped. Do not take showers or baths. Do not get the dressings wet until the Peritoneal Dialysis staff tells you it is okay. If the dressings become loose, add more tape and gauze if needed.
Do not lift more than 30 pounds.
Avoid straining while having a bowel movement.
The nurses in Peritoneal Dialysis will change the dressings when you return for your next visit. At that time, they will set up weekly visits for you. At these visits, the nurse will change your dressing. The nurse will also run some fluids in and out of the catheter to make sure it works well. This will be done weekly until you are fully healed and you begin training for home. This will be in about 3-4 weeks.
When to Call the PD Nurse or the Doctor
- Bloody dressings
- Wet dressings
- Abdominal pain, either deep inside you or on the surface. If pain is normal for you, call if you have more pain or if the pain changes.
- Fever more than 100.5°F or chills
- Nausea and vomiting
Phone numbers
Call the Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic, at (608) 270 -5643
After hours, weekends, and holidays call (608) 262-0486. This will give you the paging operator. Ask for the “PD nurse on call” or your doctor. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The nurse or doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call: 1-800-323-8942.
If you will not be returning to Wisconsin Dialysis for follow-up, call your local PD unit within the next 24 hours for further directions.
Return to the PD Clinic at Wisconsin Dialysis Inc. on ____________________.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 10/01/2010
Copyright © 10/01/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5138
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