Patho question - hypoalbuminemia

[ProviderII]

I have a patient with hypoalbuminemia and low total protein two days post-op. Patient also has a UTI. Could the low albumin and protein be caused by infection or surgery? If so, how?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

No. It is more likely to be indicative of liver pathology.

[ProviderII]

Patient does not have any history of liver problems. History is hypertension and diabetes.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Then maybe it's a complication of the diabetes--an impending renal problem perhaps.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Remember to check your patients Ca+ level. Remember that approx half of Calcium is bound to Albumin, Low Albumin levels and Total Protein levels are also associated with Malnutrition.particularly Kwashiorkor also known as hypoalbuminemia. Is your patient malnourished an alcoholic or have any malabsorption issues or any Bariatric surgery? Also check for any Calcium abnormalities.

[Sherry Adkins]

Can you help me on a question regarding Calcium.

I found a formula that is used to determine + justify treatment for Calcium theray.

But My question is, Should I be treating the Calcium deficiency or Albumin?

If for every 1 gram / dl of Albumin lost results in 0.8 mg / dl of Calium loss.

Example says

Total Calium level is 8.2 mg / dl

Albumin lab says 3 g / dl

to take the Total Calcium level

Add 0.8 ( for q gram Albumin Lost)

will give you the Calcium value if the Albumin level were normal.

This seems to me that I should focus on the Loss of the Albumin.

Got any input on this, Anyone?

Thank you.