Question

The nurse discusses plans for future treatment options with a client with chronic kidney disease. Which treatment should be included in this discussion?

1) Hemodialysis
2) Peritoneal dialysis
3) Kidney transplant
4) Bilateral nephrectomy
5) Intense immunosuppression therapy

Answer 1

The nurse should discuss hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant as future treatment options with a patient with chronic kidney disease. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are renal replacement therapies, while a kidney transplant is a surgical solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves the gradual loss of kidney function, which may eventually lead to kidney failure, necessitating treatment to replace the work of the failing kidneys. The nurse should include the following treatment options in the discussion with a CKD patient:

1. Hemodialysis - A procedure where the patient's blood is filtered externally by a machine. Waste products such as urea and excess water are removed, typically three times a week.
2. Peritoneal dialysis - A treatment that uses the lining of the abdomen to filter blood inside the body.
3. Kidney transplant - A surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a donor into the patient.

Intense immunosuppression therapy is not a direct treatment for kidney failure but may be part of the regimen after a kidney transplant to prevent rejection. Bilateral nephrectomy, the surgical removal of both kidneys, is not a typical treatment for chronic kidney disease unless there is another compelling medical reason, such as cancer.