Nephrology-related Ethical Issues in Critical Care

Nephrology-related ethical issues in critical care often revolve around decisions about kidney replacement therapies, like dialysis, in severely ill patients. It involves balancing the potential benefits of treatment against the patient’s quality of life and chances of recovery. Ethical concerns include informed consent, where patients or families must understand the risks and options, and resource allocation, as intensive treatments may strain healthcare systems. Additionally, there are dilemmas about withdrawing treatment if it no longer benefits the patient, which raises questions about dignity and respect for patient wishes at the end of life.