Monitoring
If you have kidney disease, your health care provider will check your blood regularly. These tests help monitor electrolyte (mineral) levels and kidney function.
Monitoring is especially important:
- During a hospital stay or long-term care
- Before and after surgery
- If you take diuretics (“water pills”)
- During hot weather (medicine doses may need to be lowered)
- If you are limiting salt in your diet
Keep all follow-up visits and lab appointments. Kidney damage can happen quickly if problems are not found and treated early.
Nonaggressive Care and Hospice
Each year, about 20% of people on dialysis choose to stop treatment. After stopping dialysis, death often occurs within one to two weeks.
People who receive hospice care are more likely to die at home, with comfort-focused care.
Last Update April 2026