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     **What is the Lab Name for Albumin Lab Values?**      Albumin

             **What is the Lab Abbreviation for Albumin?**      alb

             **What is Albumin in terms of Nursing Labs?**      Albumin is a transport protein in the blood. It helps maintain the oncotic pressure of the blood. Albumin levels will drop if synthesis is slowed, protein intake is inadequate, or there are increased losses. Albumin has a long half life, however, so levels are not a good indicator of acute illness.

             **What is the Normal Range for Albumin?**      3.5 – 6.0 g/dL

             **What are the Indications for Albumin?**      * Evaluation of chronic illness

• Liver disease
• Nutritional status

What would cause Increased Levels of Albumin?

             * Dehydration

• Hyper infusion
• Albumin

           **What would cause Decreased Levels of Albumin?**      * Inadequate intake
  

  • Liver disease
  • Inflammation
  • Chronic disease
  • Losses (fistula, hemorrhage, kidney disease, burns)
  • Over hydration
  • Increased catabolism
  • Congestive heart failure