A client in end-stage renal failure should be educated about which treatment option?

• A. Diet and medications only
• B. Dialysis
• C. Exercise program and dietary restrictions
• D. Palliative care only

Answer: (B)

Dialysis is the treatment that replaces kidney function when the kidneys can no longer effectively filter wastes, balance fluids, or regulate electrolytes in end-stage renal failure. By cleaning the blood and removing excess fluid, dialysis relieves uremic symptoms, prevents life-threatening fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and keeps a person alive while considering transplant options or as a long-term solution. Diet and medications alone can’t substitute for the loss of filtration, and while an exercise program or dietary restrictions support overall health, they don’t address the fundamental malfunction of kidney function. Palliative care focuses on comfort, not on replacing kidney function. Understanding dialysis options (such as hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) helps the patient make informed decisions about sustaining life with this condition.