A 51-Year-Old Patient with a History of Alcohol Abuse and Liver

A 51-year-old patient with a history of alcohol abuse and liver disease has low serum levels of albumin and presents with ascites (excess fluid in his peritoneal space) and jaundice. A health care professional would recognize that which of the following processes is most likely underlying his health problems?

A) Low albumin is contributing to excess hydrostatic pressure and inappropriate fluid distribution.
B) Low albumin is inducing hypertension and increased filtration of fluid into interstitial spaces.
C) Insufficient albumin is causing insufficient absorption of fluid into the capillaries.
D) Low albumin contributing to an inability to counter gravitational effects.