Which of the following is NOT a described abnormality associated with severe intestinal disease?

Which of the following is NOT a described abnormality associated with severe intestinal disease?

• A. Hyperalbuminemia.
• B. Hypoproteinemia.
• C. Electrolyte derangements.
• D. Hypoglycemia.

Answer: (A)

Severe intestinal disease disrupts the gut’s ability to retain and absorb nutrients, leading to loss of protein into the gut, malnutrition, and fluid/electrolyte imbalances. A hallmark finding is hypoalbuminemia, because albumin is lost through the damaged mucosa and not enough protein is available to maintain normal levels. Electrolyte derangements occur from ongoing diarrhea and vomiting, with shifts in sodium, potassium, and chloride. Hypoglycemia can occur due to reduced intake and malabsorption, sometimes compounded by liver involvement in chronic disease. Hyperalbuminemia is not described with this condition; albumin levels are typically low, not high. Dehydration might transiently raise measured albumin, but the usual pattern in severe intestinal disease is low albumin, making hyperalbuminemia the not-described abnormality.

Severe intestinal disease disrupts the gut’s ability to retain and absorb nutrients, leading to loss of protein into the gut, malnutrition, and fluid/electrolyte imbalances. A hallmark finding is hypoalbuminemia, because albumin is lost through the damaged mucosa and not enough protein is available to maintain normal levels. Electrolyte derangements occur from ongoing diarrhea and vomiting, with shifts in sodium, potassium, and chloride. Hypoglycemia can occur due to reduced intake and malabsorption, sometimes compounded by liver involvement in chronic disease. Hyperalbuminemia is not described with this condition; albumin levels are typically low, not high. Dehydration might transiently raise measured albumin, but the usual pattern in severe intestinal disease is low albumin, making hyperalbuminemia the not-described abnormality.