An older person with end-stage renal disease desires to live as long as possible. Which intervention is most likely prescribed to help achieve this goal?

An older person with end-stage renal disease desires to live as long as possible. Which intervention is most likely prescribed to help achieve this goal?

• A. Subcutaneous erythropoietin injections
• B. Surgery to create an arteriovenous fistula
• C. Pain medication
• D. Fluid restriction

Answer: (B)

In end-stage renal disease, keeping someone alive longest usually hinges on providing effective renal replacement therapy, and the best long-term way to do that for hemodialysis is through a surgically created arteriovenous fistula. A fistula offers durable, high-quality access for repeated dialysis sessions, with lower infection and clotting risks than catheters, allowing efficient removal of waste and excess fluids and better overall maintenance of the body’s balance. While treatments like erythropoietin can help with anemia and improve energy, and pain management or fluid restriction address comfort and symptoms, they do not replace kidney function or sustain life as dialysis does. Therefore, establishing an arteriovenous fistula is the intervention most likely to help achieve longer survival.

In end-stage renal disease, keeping someone alive longest usually hinges on providing effective renal replacement therapy, and the best long-term way to do that for hemodialysis is through a surgically created arteriovenous fistula. A fistula offers durable, high-quality access for repeated dialysis sessions, with lower infection and clotting risks than catheters, allowing efficient removal of waste and excess fluids and better overall maintenance of the body’s balance. While treatments like erythropoietin can help with anemia and improve energy, and pain management or fluid restriction address comfort and symptoms, they do not replace kidney function or sustain life as dialysis does. Therefore, establishing an arteriovenous fistula is the intervention most likely to help achieve longer survival.