The Case
Mr Joseph Cross, age 81 years, has been on CAPD since commencing dialysis four years ago. His treatment is four x 2L exchanges per day. Today Joe has presented to the PD Unit with his third episode of peritonitis in the past six months. His two previous episodes grew gram negative bacteria on culture. Overall Joe has deteriorated in his general health and has recently lost weight although he is 2 kg above his newly determined ideal body weight of 48 kg. His most recent results from two weeks ago include albumin 30 g/L, potassium (K+) 3.6 and haemoglobin (Hb) 97 g/L.
Directions
Please answer the following four (4) questions using academic format with sentence and paragraph structure. No introduction or conclusion is required. All your answers need to be supported by relevant contemporary literature with in-text citations. A single reference list is to be provided at the end of all your answers. Please place your name and student identification number in the footer of your document.
- Discuss the immediate treatment Joe requires including any risks associated with treatment.
- Discuss possible transmission routes and predisposing factors for Joe’s peritonitis.
- Discuss any possible links between Joe’s recent history of repeated bouts of peritonitis and his excess fluid weight.
- Discuss potential management changes and/or strategies you would recommend or implement for Joe in the short and longer term.