Dietetic Technician Practice Test

What protein intake does the National Kidney Foundation recommend for a patient with end-stage renal disease who has not yet started dialysis?

1. 0.5g/kg

2. 0.6g/kg

3. 1 gram/kg

4. 1.2g/kg

The correct answer is: 0.6g/kg

The recommendation of 0.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who have not yet started dialysis reflects the need for a careful balance between nutrition and management of the disease. At this stage, it is essential to provide adequate protein to maintain nutritional status and support bodily functions while minimizing the production of waste products that kidneys can no longer efficiently filter. This protein intake allows for sufficient protein to help maintain muscle mass and overall health without placing too much strain on the kidneys. Proteins are broken down into nitrogenous wastes, and in ESRD, the kidneys may struggle to excrete these wastes, leading to complications. Hence, this moderate protein intake has been established to prevent malnutrition while also protecting renal function as long as possible before dialysis commencement. The alternatives present either too low or too high levels of protein intake for this population, which can lead to complications, either from malnutrition (in the case of significantly lower protein) or increased uremic symptoms if protein intake is excessively high.