A patient has been in the intensive care unit for 10 days after a traumatic injury requiring intubation and multiple blood transfusions.The patient now has assessment findings consistent with protein malnutrition.Which laboratory result would the nurse evaluate as supporting this diagnosis?
A)Prealbumin level 15 mg/dL
B)Transferrin level 325 mcg/dL
C)BUN level 10 mg/dL
D)Albumin level 4 g/dL

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prealbumin is a more sensitive marker for protein malnutrition than albumin or transferrin. A level of 15 mg/dL or lower is indicative of protein malnutrition. Transferrin levels would be more indicative of iron deficiency, while BUN levels reflect kidney function and albumin levels are more specific to liver function or chronic protein deficiency.

A Patient Has Been in the Intensive Care Unit for 10