The nurse is performing a nutritional assessment with an older client who takes no medications. Which laboratory value should cause the nurse the most concern?
A) Albumin 4.2 gm/L
B) Prealbumin 322 mg/L
C) Transferrin 175 mg/dL
D) Cholesterol 114 mg/dL

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Normal transferrin is above 200 mg/dL. The half-life of transferrin is 8 to 10 days, reflecting a more current picture of nutrition status than with albumin but less current than prealbumin. Transferrin levels are altered during physiological stress because of its role as an acute phase reactant protein, limiting its use as a true indicator of nutrition status under such conditions. Normal albumin levels are 3.5-5.0 gm/L. Normal prealbumin levels are 150-350 mg/L. The client's cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL.

The Nurse Is Performing a Nutritional Assessment with an Older