Question

PN 200 Fundamentals of Nursing II Grading Rubric: Laboratory and Diagnostic Test Section I Indications Section II Nursing Interventions Section III Potential Complication Section IV Outcome/Evaluation Section V Patient Teaching 15 Points 20 Points 20 Points 20 Points 25 Points Section I Why is this test indicated? What disease process can be identified/confirmed by completing this test? Be sure to include normal values. (Please use your de Wit textbook for normal values) Section II What do you have to do to prepare the patient? NPO? Check for anticoagulants? (Use critical thinking skills to apply to what you will be doing) Section III List potential complications for which you would assess the patient Section IV You can choose good or bad outcomes for evaluation Section V List teaching points about the test that are important for the patient to know for their own safety and will contribute to a positive outcome 1/20

Answer 1

Normal Values:

Children: 2.9 – 5.5 g/dL or 22 – 55 g/L

Adults: 3.5 – 4.8 g/dL or 35 – 38 g/L

Procedure:

This is done by obtaining 5 mL of serum in a tube.

Fasting is not necessary.

Low levels are associated with edema. Assess patient for signs and symptoms.

Indications :-

Increased albumin:

Not associated with any naturally occurring condition.

The only cause is decreased plasma water such as in dehydration.

Decreased albumin:

acute and chronic inflammations and infections

cirrhosis, liver disease, alcoholism

nephrotic syndrome, renal disease

Chron’s disease, colitis

congenital analbuminemia

burns, severe skin disease

heart failure

starvation, malnutrition, malabsorption, anorexia

Cushing’s disease, thyrotoxicosis

Nursing Implications:

Check the albumin level from the protein electrophoresis results. Many clinical problems are the result of a serum albumin deficit.

Assess for peripheral edema in the lower extremities when the albumin level is decreased. Albumin is the major protein compound responsible for plasma colloid osmotic pressure. With a decreased albumin level, fluid seeps out of the blood vessels into the tissue spaces.

Assess for urinary output. Renal and collagen (lupus) diseases occur with abnormal protein fractions. Urine output should be 25mL/h or 600mL/24 hours.

Potential complications - hematoma formation at site