What action should a nurse take for a client experiencing severe respiratory difficulty during peritoneal dialysis?

When a client experiences severe respiratory difficulty during peritoneal dialysis, the most appropriate action is to drain the fluid from the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal dialysis involves the infusion of a dialysis solution into the abdominal cavity, which can sometimes result in increased intra-abdominal pressure. This increased pressure can lead to respiratory distress as it can compress the diaphragm and restrict lung expansion.

Draining the fluid helps to alleviate this pressure, improving the client’s respiratory status. By reducing the volume of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, the nurse can help relieve the tension on the diaphragm and increase lung capacity, thus alleviating the respiratory difficulty experienced by the client. This response prioritizes the immediate need to address the respiratory complications that can arise during the procedure.

The other actions, while they may be components of a comprehensive assessment or intervention plan, would not directly address the underlying cause of the respiratory distress as effectively as draining the fluid would. For example, auscultating lungs for breath sounds might provide information on the severity of the respiratory distress, but it wouldn’t resolve the situation. Similarly, increasing the rate of infusion could further increase intra-abdominal pressure and worsen the respiratory issues. Placing the client in a supine position could also exacerbate breathing