ESRD stands for?

• A. End-stage respiratory disease
• B. Early-stage renal disease
• C. End-stage renal disease
• D. Erythrocyte systemic disease

Answer: (C)

End-stage Renal Disease is the final phase of chronic kidney disease where kidney function is severely limited and typically cannot sustain life without dialysis or a transplant. This stage is usually marked by a very low glomerular filtration rate (GFR), accumulation of waste products, and electrolyte imbalances, which explains why nutrition care focuses on adjustments like protein guidance (often depending on dialysis status), phosphorus and potassium control, and fluid management. The other options don’t fit because they point to the lungs (end-stage respiratory disease), describe an earlier stage of kidney disease (early-stage renal disease), or use a nonstandard term (erythrocyte systemic disease).