The healthcare provider prescribed several laboratory tests for a client as part of a nutritional assessment. Which laboratory test provide the most accurate information regarding current nutritional status?
A) Albumin
B) Transferrin
C) Prealbumin
D) Total lymphocyte count

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Albumin, prealbumin, and transferring are classified as plasma proteins. Each of these proteins has a different half-life. Plasma proteins with short half-lives provide more current information about a client's nutritional status. Albumin has a long half-life, so it is not a very sensitive marker. Transferrin has a shorter half-life than albumin, but it is still not the best marker for nutritional status. The half-life of prealbumin is the shortest of the three plasma proteins and it can be used to evaluate a client's current nutritional status. The total lymphocyte count is more useful to measure immunocompetence and is not used to measure a client's nutritional status.

The Healthcare Provider Prescribed Several Laboratory Tests for a Client