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MBBS QUESTION #10310
Question 1
A patient with cirrhosis develops hypoalbuminemia and peripheral edema. Albumin's principal biochemical contributions to plasma include:
  • Maintaining plasma oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure and acting as a carrier protein for bilirubin, drugs, hormones, and fatty acids✔️
  • Carrying oxygen in the bloodstream
  • Functioning primarily as a clotting factor
  • Serving as the major circulating immunoglobulin
Correct Answer Explanation
As the most abundant plasma protein, albumin generates most of plasma's oncotic pressure (retaining fluid within the vasculature) and serves as a nonspecific carrier for numerous poorly water-soluble substances; hypoalbuminemia from impaired hepatic synthesis in cirrhosis reduces oncotic pressure, contributing to edema/ascites.