What treatment is necessary for a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?

In the management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis is a critical treatment option that provides renal replacement therapy. ESRD indicates that the kidneys have lost their ability to filter blood effectively, leading to the accumulation of waste products, electrolytes, and fluids, which can be life-threatening.

Dialysis serves to perform the essential functions of the kidneys by either removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood through hemodialysis or facilitating the natural filtration process via peritoneal dialysis. This treatment not only helps maintain a balance of electrolytes and fluids, but it also alleviates symptoms of uremia that occur due to the impaired kidney function.

While medication management is essential in the overall care of a patient with ESRD, especially for managing conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, it cannot substitute for the renal function lost due to ESRD. Acute care might be needed for short-term complications or crises but does not provide the ongoing necessary support. Transplantation is indeed a highly effective treatment for ESRD, but it is not available for all patients due to various factors including eligibility, availability of donor organs, and the waiting list duration.

Thus, dialysis is the necessary treatment for sustaining life in patients with ESRD, making it the most