Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:05 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:05 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Provide support and management of the client undergoing peritoneal dialysis therapy
Provide support and management of the client undergoing peritoneal dialysis therapy
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTRNL602C
HLTRNL602C
State Code
WD278
WD278
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the knowledge and skills required to support the client undertaking peritoneal dialysis and to use current technologies in peritoneal dialysis including the safe administration of medications via dialysis
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish a therapeutic relationship with the client
- 1.1 Provide the client with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss areas of concern
- 1.2 Ask the client questions clearly, in an appropriate manner, level and pace, and in a way that encourages the client to provide full answers
- 1.3 Provide accurate feedback and education, appropriate to the client's needs and concerns, within scope of role and responsibilities
- 1.4 Encourage client independence throughout the procedure according to their level of capability
2. Assess physicalhealth status of client undergoing peritoneal dialysis
- 2.1 Complete a dialysis assessment of the client through observation and interview and report to other members of the health care team if required in accordance with scope of work role and organisation guidelines
- 2.2 Review pathology results, identify significant variations and report to other members of the health care team according to organisation policies and procedures
- 2.3 Examine the catheter and exit site to identify any problems
- 2.4 Obtain specimen swab from catheter site if necessary, according to organisation policies and procedures, and send for microbiological analysis
- 2.5 Identify any significant physical health issues in relation to dialysis prescription and requirement for adjustments and report to other members of the health care team in accordance with scope of work role and organisation guidelines
- 2.6 Recognise and refer actual and potential problems that vary from the client's normal health status to other members of the health care team as required in consultation with registered nurse and within scope of work role and organisation guidelines
3. Assist the client in self-care management of peritoneal dialysis treatment
- 3.1 Review the client's understanding of the procedure in accordance with legal requirements and organisation policies and procedures
- 3.2 Assess the client's self-care strategies
- 3.3 Appraise the client's technique for dressing exit site and provide effective education as required
- 3.4 Assist the client as necessary with their peritoneal exchange according to organisation policies and procedures and infection control guidelines
- 3.5 Assess the client's peritoneal dialysis exchange technique in accordance with organisation and infection control guidelines
- 3.6 Monitor the client during treatment within scope of work role and within organisation guidelines and refer to other members of the health care team
- 3.7 Recognise and respond appropriately to actual and potential problems of peritoneal dialysis treatment
- 3.8 Obtain an effluent specimen if necessary, according to organisation policies and procedures, and send for microbiological analysis
- 3.9 Assess the client's response to treatment within scope of work role and organisation policies and procedures
- 3.10 Document and report outcomes to appropriate members of the health care team
- 3.11 Assist the client manage peritoneal dialysis consumables
4. Perform peritoneal dialysis exchange for the client unable to undertake procedure
- 4.1 Examine the peritoneal dialysis exit site and perform exit site dressing as required
- 4.2 Prepare peritoneal dialysis additives for dialysis bag in line with delegation
- 4.3 Perform peritoneal exchange according to organisation policies and procedures and infection control guidelines
- 4.4 Monitor client during treatment within own scope of practice and within organisation guidelines and refer to other members of the health care team
- 4.5 Recognise and respond appropriately to actual and potential problems of peritoneal dialysis treatment
- 4.6 Assess the client's response to dialysis additives as administered within scope of work role
- 4.7 Recognise acute and delayed adverse reactions to dialysis additives and respond within scope of work role
- 4.8 Obtain an effluent specimen if necessary, according to organisation policies and procedures, and send for microbiological analysis
- 4.9 Assess the client's response to treatment within scope of work role and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.10 Document and report outcomes to appropriate members of the health care team
- 4.11 Assist the client manage peritoneal dialysis consumables
5. Assess physical health status of the client at completion of peritoneal dialysis
- 5.1 Complete the post-dialysis assessment of the client
- 5.2 Evaluate the client's response to treatment within scope of work role and organisation guidelines
- 5.3 Document and report outcomes to the appropriate members of the health care team
- 5.4 Provide feedback to the client on physical health assessment in order to maintain optimal health status
- 5.5 Encourage the client to voice concerns and respond appropriately
- 5.6 Incorporate referral to community services into advanced care planning strategies in consultation/collaboration with registered nurse and other members of the health care team
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Clients are limited to:
Adolescent
Adult
Assessment of physical health status may include:
Blood pressure, pulse and respiration
Weight
Evidence of uraemia and electrolyte imbalance e.g. lethargy, confusion, anorexia, nausea and vomiting
Signs of fluid overload e.g. dyspnoea, tachypnoea, ankle oedema, weight gain over a short period of time and high blood pressure readings
Signs of dehydration e.g. dry mouth, dizzy, postural drop in blood pressure, low blood pressure and weight loss over short period of time
Blood sugar levels
Pathology results from routine testing for dialysis clients
Peritoneal dialysis exit-site status
Abnormalities of peritoneal dialysis fluid
Returns on peritoneal dialysis exchanges
Evidence of infection
Peritoneal dialysis may include:
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD)
Members of the health care team may include:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurse
Registered nurse
Nurse practitioner
General practitioner
Renal physician
Chronic disease management team
Dietitian
Social worker
Pharmacist
Podiatrist
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker
Scope of work role refers to:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurses
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers
Pathology resultsmay include:
Haematological tests:
haemoglobin
iron studies
Biochemical tests:
urea
creatinine
calcium
phosphate
Dialysis adequacy tests:
Kt/Vs
urea reduction ratio
fraction reduction urea
Catheter and exit site problemsmay include:
Exit site infection, signs and symptoms:
redness and tenderness at exit site
exudate at exit site
soiling of exit site dressing with blood-stained or pus discharge
Cracking, splitting and discolouration of the catheter
Cuff extrusion
Mobile catheter
Tension of catheter
Extravasation to surrounding tissue or along inguinal canal to scrotum or labia
Contamination of catheter or 'Y' line on bag during exchange process
Leakage from site, extravasation or bag
Blocked catheter due to constipation, catheter movement, fibrin plug
Actual and potential problemsmay include:
Peritonitis, signs and symptoms:
fever
cloudy bag
abdominal pain
nausea and vomiting
Hypertension/hypotension
Fluid imbalance:
dehydration
fluid overload
Electrolyte imbalance:
hyperglycaemia
Inadequate dialysis
Malnutrition/obesity
Large amount of weight loss
Failure of peritoneal fluid to drain in or out of peritoneal dialysis cavity during an exchange
Excessive or insufficient ultra filtration leading to overload or dehydration
Infusion of incorrect peritoneal dialysis fluid:
incorrect osmotic agent
incorrect volume
incorrect concentration of osmotic agent
Raised intra-abdominal pressure
Provide effective education includes:
Develop lesson plan
Time management of education session
Evaluating education session
Evaluating client learning
Recognising teachable moments
Assessing teaching and learning resources
Infection control guidelines may include:
Standard and additional precautions
Aseptic technique
Collection site preparation
Sample collection procedures
Waste handling and disposal
Response to treatment may include:
Change in client's hydration status
Signs and symptoms of uraemia
Move towards client's ideal weight
Stabilisation of blood pressure
Documentation may include:
Record of test procedures
Complete and sign request form
Medical record notation
Labelling specimens and all documents
Data entry on paper and electronically
Management ofperitoneal dialysis consumables may include:
Stock management principles:
stocktake
ordering cycle
count stock on hand
ordering supplies
method of ordering
check expiry dates
Delivery mode
Timeframes
Storage requirements
Requirement to rotate stock
Check equipment
Prepare peritoneal dialysis additives must include:
Identification of contraindications of medications
Confirmation of client identity and check for known allergies
Identification of the purpose and function of prescribed medication
100% accurate calculation of medication doses for administration as prescribed
Contributing to the provision of information provided to clients and carers on side effects of medication administration
Peritoneal dialysis additives may include:
Heparin
Antibiotics
Insulin
Delegation refers to:
Conferring of authority to perform specific medication administration activities to a worker not usually authorised but who has been determined as appropriate for the task by the delegating health professional
Delegation is within the context of a care plan or other written instruction
Where delegation is provided verbally it must be confirmed as soon as practicable according to organisation procedures in writing and incorporated in the care plan
The authority is specific to an individual client within a specific care context and is not transferable
Delegation instructions must include:
medication and its purpose
dosage and related instructions
route
contraindications
any other relevant instructions or information, especially information specific to the client
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Clients are limited to:
Adolescent
Adult
Assessment of physical health status may include:
Blood pressure, pulse and respiration
Weight
Evidence of uraemia and electrolyte imbalance e.g. lethargy, confusion, anorexia, nausea and vomiting
Signs of fluid overload e.g. dyspnoea, tachypnoea, ankle oedema, weight gain over a short period of time and high blood pressure readings
Signs of dehydration e.g. dry mouth, dizzy, postural drop in blood pressure, low blood pressure and weight loss over short period of time
Blood sugar levels
Pathology results from routine testing for dialysis clients
Peritoneal dialysis exit-site status
Abnormalities of peritoneal dialysis fluid
Returns on peritoneal dialysis exchanges
Evidence of infection
Peritoneal dialysis may include:
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD)
Members of the health care team may include:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurse
Registered nurse
Nurse practitioner
General practitioner
Renal physician
Chronic disease management team
Dietitian
Social worker
Pharmacist
Podiatrist
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker
Scope of work role refers to:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurses
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers
Pathology resultsmay include:
Haematological tests:
haemoglobin
iron studies
Biochemical tests:
urea
creatinine
calcium
phosphate
Dialysis adequacy tests:
Kt/Vs
urea reduction ratio
fraction reduction urea
Catheter and exit site problemsmay include:
Exit site infection, signs and symptoms:
redness and tenderness at exit site
exudate at exit site
soiling of exit site dressing with blood-stained or pus discharge
Cracking, splitting and discolouration of the catheter
Cuff extrusion
Mobile catheter
Tension of catheter
Extravasation to surrounding tissue or along inguinal canal to scrotum or labia
Contamination of catheter or 'Y' line on bag during exchange process
Leakage from site, extravasation or bag
Blocked catheter due to constipation, catheter movement, fibrin plug
Actual and potential problemsmay include:
Peritonitis, signs and symptoms:
fever
cloudy bag
abdominal pain
nausea and vomiting
Hypertension/hypotension
Fluid imbalance:
dehydration
fluid overload
Electrolyte imbalance:
hyperglycaemia
Inadequate dialysis
Malnutrition/obesity
Large amount of weight loss
Failure of peritoneal fluid to drain in or out of peritoneal dialysis cavity during an exchange
Excessive or insufficient ultra filtration leading to overload or dehydration
Infusion of incorrect peritoneal dialysis fluid:
incorrect osmotic agent
incorrect volume
incorrect concentration of osmotic agent
Raised intra-abdominal pressure
Provide effective education includes:
Develop lesson plan
Time management of education session
Evaluating education session
Evaluating client learning
Recognising teachable moments
Assessing teaching and learning resources
Infection control guidelines may include:
Standard and additional precautions
Aseptic technique
Collection site preparation
Sample collection procedures
Waste handling and disposal
Response to treatment may include:
Change in client's hydration status
Signs and symptoms of uraemia
Move towards client's ideal weight
Stabilisation of blood pressure
Documentation may include:
Record of test procedures
Complete and sign request form
Medical record notation
Labelling specimens and all documents
Data entry on paper and electronically
Management ofperitoneal dialysis consumables may include:
Stock management principles:
stocktake
ordering cycle
count stock on hand
ordering supplies
method of ordering
check expiry dates
Delivery mode
Timeframes
Storage requirements
Requirement to rotate stock
Check equipment
Prepare peritoneal dialysis additives must include:
Identification of contraindications of medications
Confirmation of client identity and check for known allergies
Identification of the purpose and function of prescribed medication
100% accurate calculation of medication doses for administration as prescribed
Contributing to the provision of information provided to clients and carers on side effects of medication administration
Peritoneal dialysis additives may include:
Heparin
Antibiotics
Insulin
Delegation refers to:
Conferring of authority to perform specific medication administration activities to a worker not usually authorised but who has been determined as appropriate for the task by the delegating health professional
Delegation is within the context of a care plan or other written instruction
Where delegation is provided verbally it must be confirmed as soon as practicable according to organisation procedures in writing and incorporated in the care plan
The authority is specific to an individual client within a specific care context and is not transferable
Delegation instructions must include:
medication and its purpose
dosage and related instructions
route
contraindications
any other relevant instructions or information, especially information specific to the client
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge identified for this unit of competency before undertaking workplace application
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit of competency
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion
Assessment of medication administration must include a written calculation test with 100% mastery
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play
Access and equity considerations
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge identified for this unit of competency before undertaking workplace application
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit of competency
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion
Assessment of medication administration must include a written calculation test with 100% mastery
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play
Access and equity considerations
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8489 | HLTRNL602B | Provide support and management of the client undergoing peritoneal dialysis therapy | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ38 | HLTRNL002 | Provide care and support to a person undergoing renal replacement therapy | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J585 | HLT50213 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| D111 | HLT61107 | Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |