End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requires which of the following interventions?

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) represents the final stage of chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys can no longer function adequately to maintain the body's balance of fluids, electrolytes, and waste removal. To manage this critical condition, patients typically require either dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Dialysis is a medical procedure that artificially removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer capable of performing this function. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, both aimed at substituting lost kidney function. If dialysis isn't an option or a preferred treatment, a kidney transplant may be recommended. This involves surgical placement of a healthy kidney from a donor into the patient’s body.

While medication management and lifestyle changes are important components of managing earlier stages of kidney disease or supporting patients in general health, they are not sufficient for patients with ESRD. Physical therapy may also be beneficial for overall health and mobility in ESRD patients, but it does not address the underlying renal failure directly.

The requirement for dialysis or transplantation highlights the critical nature of medical interventions necessary to sustain life when kidneys have lost their ability to function effectively.