Final answer:
The nurse would expect the healthcare provider to discuss hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant as treatment options with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15 mL/min.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient's glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is 15 mL/min, indicating a significant decline in kidney function. Based on this GFR value, the nurse would expect the healthcare provider to discuss several treatment options with the patient. The treatment options for a GFR of 15 mL/min include:
- Hemodialysis: This option involves filtering the patient's blood through a dialysis machine to remove waste products and excess fluids.
- Peritoneal dialysis: In this form of dialysis, a solution is introduced into the patient's abdominal cavity through a catheter, and waste products and excess fluid are removed through osmosis.
- Kidney transplant: A kidney transplant may be considered as an alternative to dialysis, where a healthy kidney from a donor is transplanted into the patient's body to replace the failed kidneys.