What does low drain volume mean on a dialysis machine?

Typically, the Low Drain Volume alarm is related to one of the following. non-cycler-related causes: • You started your therapy empty. • You have a fibrin blockage. • Your current catheter position limits your ability to drain.

What is initial drain peritoneal dialysis?

Each time a patient connects to the cycler to initiate the therapy, the cycler begins with an initial drain (I-Drain) to empty the peritoneal cavity first. The automated cycler then coordinates the three main phases of PD, ie, fill, dwell, and drain, which constitute a “cycle”.

Why is my PD catheter not draining?

Outflow failure is attributed mostly to mechanical problems such as catheter migration, omental wrapping, constipation, and intraluminal obstruction with fibrin or clot; and it usually occurs shortly after initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD).

What causes drain pain in peritoneal dialysis?

First, it is largely a complication of cycler PD. Contemporary cyclers use hydraulic suction rather than gravity to drain dialysate and drain pain is thought by some to be caused by the consequent application of negative pressure to the very sensitive parietal peritoneum toward the end of each drain cycle.

What is a normal UF in peritoneal dialysis?

The UF is usually between 200-500cc. He is an average high transporter. Patient is not fluid overloaded.

How do you manually drain PD fluid?

This 3-step process is called an exchange.

1. Fill. A bag of solution called dialysate is put into the abdomen through the catheter. This bag holds about 2 quarts of fluid.
2. Dwell. The solution stays in the abdomen 4 to 6 hours.
3. Drain. Using gravity, the solution is then drained out of the body into a drain bag.

How do I stop my PD drain from hurting?

Placing the cycler at the same height as the patient will result in less suction applied to the abdominal viscera as gravity is overcome. Some patients find that squeezing the drain tubing to provide more resistance to the negative pressure helps alleviate the pain. Finally, tidal PD is often efficacious.