Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Resource for Exam Success!

Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), presents with numerous complications due to the kidneys' diminished ability to filter waste and maintain homeostasis. Neuropathy is indeed a common complication of stage 5 CKD, known specifically as uremic neuropathy.

In patients with advanced renal failure, the accumulation of uremic toxins can lead to nerve damage, resulting in symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or pain, particularly in the extremities. This manifests because the kidneys are unable to eliminate substances that can harm nerve tissue, and the resulting metabolic imbalances contribute to neurological deficits.

While heart failure and high cholesterol are also concerns in CKD patients, neuropathy is directly tied to the failing kidney function leading to specific neurological complications. Asthma is typically unrelated to the effects of kidney disease and does not present as a common complication of stage 5 CKD. Understanding the relationship between kidney function and neuropathy is essential for managing patients with advanced CKD effectively.