A client with chronic kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis exhibits redness, tenderness, and drainage around the catheter site on the abdominal wall. While planning care, the nurse is most concerned about preventing which complication related to these findings?

B. Lactulose works by acidifying the colonic contents, which promotes the conversion of ammonia (NH3) to ammonium (NH4+). Ammonium is less readily absorbed from the colon into the bloodstream, reducing systemic ammonia levels. This action helps alleviate the neurotoxic effects of ammonia on the brain, thereby improving neurological symptoms associated with hepatic encephalopathy.
A. Lactulose is required in clients with hepatic encephalopathy to excrete ammonia lowering its levels in blood. Holding the lactulose dose is inappropriate as the client’s ammonia levels are still high
C. Rehydrating the clients to replace lost fluids in the loose stools is important but does not address
the client’s elevated ammonia levels which may be exacerbating the client’s encephalopathy.
D. Reporting the number of diarrhea stools to the healthcare provider is important for ongoing assessment and management of the client's condition. However, it does not address the clients high ammonia levels.

Positive health promotion activities include inquiring about blood pressure, asking questions about self-care, executing pull-ups on a trapeze bar, and turning side to side.

Negative health promotion activities include requesting the nurse to perform wound care and avoiding looking at the residual limb.

Rationale

POSITIVE:

Inquires about blood pressure:

Inquiring about blood pressure shows awareness of cardiovascular health, which is important for individuals with peripheral vascular disease. Monitoring blood pressure regularly can help prevent complications and manage hypertension, a common comorbidity in peripheral vascular disease.

Asks questions about self-care:

Asking questions about self-care indicates engagement in the management of one's health post- amputation. Understanding self-care tasks, such as wound care, prosthetic use, and rehabilitation exercises, is crucial for optimal recovery and adjustment to life after amputation. Executes pull-ups on trapeze bar:

Engaging in physical activity, such as pull-ups on a trapeze bar, demonstrates motivation for rehabilitation and adaptation to life after amputation. Strengthening exercises can improve overall physical function and assist in adjusting to mobility with a prosthetic limb.

Turns side to side:

Turning side to side suggests mobility and activity post-amputation. Movement and repositioning are important for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and promoting circulation in individuals with peripheral vascular disease.

NEGATIVE

Requests nurse to perform wound care:

Negative: While it's understandable for a client to initially require assistance with wound care post-amputation, relying solely on the nurse to perform wound care may indicate a lack of engagement in self-management and may hinder the client's transition to independence in managing their health post-amputation.

Avoids looking at residual limb:

Negative: Avoiding looking at the residual limb may indicate psychological distress or difficulty accepting the amputation. It's important for individuals post-amputation to gradually become comfortable with their changed body image and to address any psychological challenges through counseling or support groups.