What is the primary role of the catheter in peritoneal dialysis?

The primary role of the catheter in peritoneal dialysis is to facilitate the flow of dialysate in and out of the abdominal cavity. This specialized catheter is inserted into the peritoneal cavity and serves as the access point for the dialysis solution. During the dialysis process, the dialysate is infused into the abdomen, where it remains for a designated dwell time, allowing for the exchange of waste products and excess fluid from the blood through the peritoneal membrane. After this dwell period, the used dialysate, now containing toxins and excess fluid, is drained from the abdomen, and the cycle can be repeated. This process effectively mimics the natural function of healthy kidneys by removing waste and excess fluid without the need for external filtration devices.

Other options, like collecting excess urine, administering medications, or monitoring blood pressure, do not describe the function of the peritoneal dialysis catheter and pertain to different aspects of patient care and treatment management. Each of those activities is important in the broader context of patient health but does not relate directly to the mechanism of action of the catheter during peritoneal dialysis.