Which statement accurately describes chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

Which statement accurately describes chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

• A. Stages 1 and 2 = normal or mild renal impairment; Stages 3-5 = GFR less than 60 mL/min
• B. Stages 1 and 2 = severe kidney failure; Stages 3-5 = GFR greater than 90
• C. Stages 1 and 2 = GFR below 30; Stages 3-5 = GFR 30-59
• D. Stages 1-2 = normal function; Stages 3-5 = GFR 60-89

Answer: (A)

Chronic kidney disease staging is defined by how well the kidneys are filtering, as measured by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this system, the early stages show normal or only mildly reduced filtration, while the later stages reflect progressively lower filtration. Specifically, Stage 1 is a GFR of 90 mL/min or higher (often with evidence of kidney damage), and Stage 2 is a GFR of 60–89 mL/min (also with evidence of kidney damage). Stages 3 through 5 correspond to a GFR below 60 mL/min, with Stage 3 typically 30–59, Stage 4 15–29, and Stage 5 less than 15 or dialysis-dependent. The statement that Stages 3–5 have a GFR less than 60 mL/min and that Stages 1–2 are normal or mildly impaired fits this staging approach. Other options mix up the GFR ranges or the severity associated with the stages, which does not align with how CKD is categorized.

Chronic kidney disease staging is defined by how well the kidneys are filtering, as measured by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this system, the early stages show normal or only mildly reduced filtration, while the later stages reflect progressively lower filtration. Specifically, Stage 1 is a GFR of 90 mL/min or higher (often with evidence of kidney damage), and Stage 2 is a GFR of 60–89 mL/min (also with evidence of kidney damage). Stages 3 through 5 correspond to a GFR below 60 mL/min, with Stage 3 typically 30–59, Stage 4 15–29, and Stage 5 less than 15 or dialysis-dependent. The statement that Stages 3–5 have a GFR less than 60 mL/min and that Stages 1–2 are normal or mildly impaired fits this staging approach. Other options mix up the GFR ranges or the severity associated with the stages, which does not align with how CKD is categorized.