Question

Which laboratory parameter increases due to dehydration, chronic inflammation, and paraproteinemia, and decreases due to overhydration, severe congestive heart failure, protein-losing nephropathy, protein-losing enteropathy, hemorrhage, burns, dietary protein deficiency, malabsorption, and some viral conditions (especially in horses)?

A) White blood cell count
B) Platelet count
C) Serum albumin
D) Blood glucose

Answer 1

The laboratory parameter affected by conditions ranging from dehydration to protein deficiency and paraproteinemia is serum albumin (Option C). It increases with dehydration and decreases with overhydration or protein loss due to various medical conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory parameter that increases due to dehydration, chronic inflammation, and paraproteinemia, and decreases due to overhydration, congestive heart failure, nephropathy, enteropathy, hemorrhage, burns, protein deficiency, malabsorption, and some viral conditions is serum albumin (Option C). Serum albumin is a protein in the blood that helps maintain osmotic pressure, necessary for proper distribution of body fluids between intravascular compartments and body tissues. Conditions such as dehydration cause hemoconcentration which leads to an increase in serum albumin concentration, while overhydration dilutes the blood, thereby decreasing albumin concentration. Other factors such as liver diseases, malnutrition, and protein loss due to kidney disorders or gastrointestinal conditions can lead to a decrease in serum albumin levels.