A client is having a peritoneal dialysis treatment. The nurse notes an opaque color to the effluent. What is the priority action by the nurse?

A. Flush the tubing with normal saline to maintain patency of the catheter: Flushing the tubing addresses mechanical obstruction but does not evaluate or treat abnormal effluent. An opaque or cloudy effluent indicates a possible infection rather than a blockage, so flushing is not the priority. B. Warm the dialysate solution before instillation: Warming dialysate helps reduce abdominal cramping and discomfort but does not address the presence of cloudy or opaque effluent. This intervention is supportive and unrelated to the acute concern. C. Take a sample of the effluent to send to the laboratory: Cloudy or opaque peritoneal dialysis effluent is a hallmark sign of peritonitis, typically caused by bacterial contamination. Immediate collection of a sample for cell count, Gram stain, and culture allows prompt diagnosis and initiation of targeted antimicrobial therapy, preventing rapid progression to sepsis. D. Check the peritoneal catheter for kinking and curling: Ensuring the catheter is correctly positioned maintains proper drainage but does not explain the abnormal effluent color. While important for overall dialysis efficacy, it does not address the urgent concern of possible infection.