In peritoneal dialysis, dwell time is defined as which of the following?

In peritoneal dialysis, dwell time is defined as which of the following?

• A. The amount of time the peritoneal fluid remains in the abdomen
• B. The time the dialysis machine is paused
• C. The time before starting treatment
• D. The amount of time the patient is connected

Answer: (A)

Dwell time is the period the dialysis solution remains in the peritoneal cavity after it is instilled. During this time, wastes and excess fluid move between the blood vessels in the peritoneum and the dialysate by diffusion and osmosis, allowing cleansing and ultrafiltration to occur. The longer the dwell, the more time there is for solute and fluid exchange, within patient comfort and treatment plan limits. This is why the correct description is the amount of time the peritoneal fluid stays in the abdomen. It’s not the time the machine is paused, not the time before starting treatment, nor the time the patient is connected.

Dwell time is the period the dialysis solution remains in the peritoneal cavity after it is instilled. During this time, wastes and excess fluid move between the blood vessels in the peritoneum and the dialysate by diffusion and osmosis, allowing cleansing and ultrafiltration to occur. The longer the dwell, the more time there is for solute and fluid exchange, within patient comfort and treatment plan limits. This is why the correct description is the amount of time the peritoneal fluid stays in the abdomen. It’s not the time the machine is paused, not the time before starting treatment, nor the time the patient is connected.