What does "renal replacement therapy" accomplish?

Renal replacement therapy is a critical treatment designed to take over the essential functions that the kidneys can no longer perform effectively due to renal failure. In patients whose kidneys are unable to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood, renal replacement therapy steps in to manage these vital physiological functions. This therapy includes methods such as dialysis and kidney transplantation, which specifically aim to replace the loss of kidney function, thus helping to maintain a patient's overall health and allowing for the removal of toxins from the bloodstream.

While balancing electrolytes in the body is a part of managing renal failure, it is not the primary focus of renal replacement therapy itself, but rather a consequence of effective therapy. Improving dietary intake, although it can support kidney health, is not directly accomplished through renal replacement therapy. Enhancing kidney function is also not a goal of this therapy, as it is meant for cases where kidney function is severely compromised. Therefore, the primary achievement of renal replacement therapy is to replace the function of the kidneys in patients with renal failure.