What is the goal in Stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease?

In Stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), the kidneys are functioning at a level that is insufficient to maintain the body's needs. This stage is also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The primary goal at this stage is to prepare the patient for renal replacement therapy, which includes options like dialysis or kidney transplantation.

As kidney function continues to deteriorate in Stage 5, preparing for these treatments becomes crucial since they will be necessary for sustaining life. Patients may need to undergo education about treatment options, establish a suitable dialysis access site, or be placed on a list for kidney transplantation. All of these preparations are essential steps to effectively manage a patient's health in anticipation of the next phase in their treatment plan.

While preventing kidney failure and decreasing the rate of decline are important concepts in earlier stages of CKD, at Stage 5, the focus shifts entirely to managing the consequences of severed kidney function and facilitating renal replacement therapy. Similarly, while managing complications is essential throughout CKD, it becomes a component of the broader necessity to prepare for renal replacement in this final stage.