Because of her severe burns, your patient's laboratory tests will most likely reveal
a. increased creatinine height index and decreased total lymphocytes and albumin.
b. negative nitrogen balance, increased albumin, and increased total lymphocyte count.
c. negative nitrogen balance, decreased albumin, and decreased creatinine height index.
d. zero nitrogen balance, decreased albumin, increased hemoglobin, and increased hematocrit.
C
Severe burns will result in laboratory tests such as negative nitrogen balance, decreased albumin, and decreased creatinine height index. Nitrogen is usually taken into the body in the form of food protein sources. It is one of the compounds of amino acids. The balance of intake of nitrogen to output of nitrogen is compared, usually with a 24-hour urine sample. A zero balance is normal. A positive balance indicates tissue formation. A negative balance is abnormal and indicates a catabolic state (the body excretes more nitrogen than is consumed). This means there is destruction or wasting of tissue and can occur in burns. Albumin is an indicator of visceral protein status. Decreased levels of albumin are found in burns. Creatinine is a substance normally excreted in urine; it is dependent on the amount of skeletal muscle mass and measures the amount of protein. A decreased creatinine height index indicates protein deficiency and may be indicated by the loss of lean body mass as seen in severe trauma or burns.
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