Editing Peritoneal dialysis (section)

=== Volume shifts ===
The volume of dialysate removed as well as patient's weight are monitored. If more than 500ml of fluid are retained or a liter of fluid is lost across three consecutive treatments, the patient's physician is generally notified.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021|reason=No reference for physicians being notified.}}  Excessive loss of fluid can result in [[Hypovolemia|hypovolemic shock]] or [[hypotension]] while excessive fluid retention can result in [[hypertension]] and [[edema]].  Also monitored is the color of the fluid removed:  normally it is pink-tinged for the initial four cycles and clear or pale yellow afterward.  The presence of pink or bloody effluent suggests bleeding inside the abdomen while feces indicates a [[Gastrointestinal perforation|perforated bowel]] and cloudy fluid suggests infection.  The patient may also experience pain or discomfort if the dialysate is too acidic, too cold or introduced too quickly, while diffuse pain with cloudy discharge may indicate an infection.  Severe pain in the [[rectum]] or [[perineum]] can be the result of an improperly placed catheter.  The dwell can also increase pressure on the [[thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]] causing impaired breathing, and [[constipation]] can interfere with the ability of fluid to flow through the catheter.<ref name="Nursing" />