HF 5138

Caring for Your Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter

This handout will tell you how to take care of your peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter.

Bathing

  • The dressing on your abdomen should stay clean, dry, and firmly taped.

  • Do not take showers or baths.

  • Avoid getting the dressings wet until your care team tells you it is okay.

Dressing Changes

Your nurse in peritoneal dialysis will change the dressings when needed while you are in the hospital. After discharge, you need to go to the Outpatient Dialysis Clinic for dressing changes. If the dressings become loose, add more tape and gauze.

Depending on when you start using the catheter for PD, your nurse will also run some fluids in and out of the IV to make sure it works well. This will be done weekly until:

  • You’re fully healed.

  • You begin training for home dialysis,

  • The catheter is used for dialysis (about 3-4 weeks).

Activity

  • Do not lift more than 15 pounds for the first week. Then, lift no more than 30 pounds for 2 months.

  • Avoid straining while having a bowel movement.

  • No swimming.

  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-4 weeks.

When to Call

Call if you notice:

  • Bloody dressings

  • Wet dressings

  • Belly pain 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 over 100.5°F or chills

  • Nausea and vomiting

Who to Call

Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic

____________ or __________ (after hours).

Return to the PD Clinic ________________.

If you do not have a follow-up visit scheduled, call your local peritoneal dialysis unit.