What effect can dextrose in dialysate for peritoneal dialysis cause?

Dextrose in dialysate for peritoneal dialysis can lead to hyperglycemia, primarily because dextrose is a form of sugar. When patients receive dialysate that contains dextrose, the glucose can be absorbed across the peritoneal membrane into the bloodstream, raising the patient's blood sugar levels. This is particularly important for patients with diabetes or those who are prone to fluctuations in blood glucose levels.

While hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia, and hypoglycemia are also terms that define various imbalances of minerals and sugars in the body, they do not pertain directly to the effects of dextrose in dialysate. Hypercalcemia refers to elevated calcium levels, hypocalcemia indicates low calcium levels, and hypoglycemia signifies low blood sugar, none of which result from the addition of dextrose in the dialysate. Thus, focusing on the impact of dextrose, hyperglycemia accurately describes the condition that can arise as a consequence of its use in peritoneal dialysis.