The client’s lab studies reveal a normal serum albumin with a prealbum

The client’s lab studies reveal a normal serum albumin with a prealbumin of 10. How should the nurse interpret the significance of these readings?

1. The client has had recent protein malnutrition.
2. The client is now relatively well nourished with malnutrition 6 to 8 months ago.
3. The client is at risk for development of malabsorption syndromes.
4. Carbohydrate malnutrition has occurred over the last 6 months.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Prealbumin is the most responsive serum protein to rapid changes in nutritional status. A level below 11 indicates that aggressive nutritional intervention is necessary.
Rationale 2: Serum albumin is the slowest of the serum proteins to reflect changes, so abnormalities indicate prolonged protein malnutrition.
Rationale 3: There is no specific link to malabsorption syndromes.
Rationale 4: These tests are indicators of protein malnutrition, not carbohydrate malnutrition.