Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test 2026 - Free Dialysis Nurse Practice Questions and Study Guide

The condition that results from defective mineralization of the bone due to a lack of vitamin D in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is osteomalacia. This condition is characterized by a softening of the bones, which occurs because vitamin D is essential for proper calcium absorption and bone mineralization. In ESRD, the kidneys are unable to convert vitamin D into its active form, leading to significant deficiencies. Without adequate vitamin D, the bones cannot effectively absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for bone health, resulting in weakened and poorly mineralized bones.

Osteoporosis, while also a bone-related condition, involves a reduction in bone density and is typically associated with aging or hormonal changes rather than a specific deficiency of vitamin D in the context of kidney disease. Rickets is a similar deficiency condition that occurs in children due to a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, leading to soft and weak bones, but it is distinct from osteomalacia, which occurs in adults. Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints and is not directly related to mineralization issues in the bones.