Question

A client was admitted to the burn unit after suffering extensive partial and full thickness burns in a house fire. At 24 hours postadmission, the physician orders albumin for the client. The family asks why the client is receiving albumin. The nurse’s response would be based on the knowledge that albumin is a: A. blood product that will help restore circulating RBCs. B. hypertonic solution that will help restore plasma volume. C. source of clotting factors that will control wound bleeding. D. source of antibodies to help the client fight infection secondary to the loss of skin.

Short answer

The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that albumin is a hypertonic solution that will help restore plasma volume (Option B).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Function of Albumin

Recognize that albumin is a protein found in the blood that helps maintain oncotic pressure, which is essential for keeping fluid within the vascular compartment.

Analyzing the Options

Consider the effects of burn injuries on the body and the physiological benefits albumin would provide.

Eliminating Incorrect Options

Eliminate the choices that do not align with the properties of albumin: A) Albumin does not restore RBCs. C) Albumin isn't a source of clotting factors. D) Albumin isn't a source of antibodies.

Identifying the Correct Option

Identify that after a burn, intravascular fluid is lost and albumin helps to restore oncotic pressure and plasma volume, thus the answer is B) a hypertonic solution that will help restore plasma volume.

Key concepts

NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation

Preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam involves a deep understanding of various medical treatments and interventions. In the context of burn treatment, it’s crucial for exam takers to grasp the roles of different therapies and medications. Albumin administration is one such topic that might appear on the exam.

When studying burn treatment for the NCLEX-RN, it's essential to understand not just the 'what', but the 'why' behind each treatment. For instance, knowing that albumin helps restore plasma volume provides insight into fluid management post-injury. Recognizing its function in maintaining oncotic pressure ensures a comprehensive understanding, which is required for critical thinking and decision-making scenarios on the exam.

To prepare effectively, engage with practice questions that simulate real scenarios, review fundamental concepts of fluid balance, and familiarize yourself with the typical medications and treatments used in burn care and their physiological rationales.

Burn Treatment

Burn injuries disrupt the skin's integrity, leading to potential fluid loss and increased risk of infection. Immediate and ongoing burn treatment is vital to manage these complications. Among the various steps in treating burns, restoring plasma volume and maintaining proper electrolyte balance are essential.

Albumin plays a pivotal role in this aspect of burn care. As a hypertonic solution, its administration helps pull fluid back into the blood vessels from the surrounding tissues, mitigating the effects of fluid loss. Comprehending the mechanism of action of albumin is vital for those involved in burn treatment, as it supports informed decision-making during the critical resuscitation and recovery phases.

Oncotic Pressure

Oncotic pressure, also known as colloid osmotic pressure, is the force exerted by proteins, such as albumin, in the blood plasma that tends to pull water into the circulatory system from the extracellular space. It is counterbalanced by hydrostatic pressure, which pushes fluid out of the vessels.

In burn patients, the integrity of capillary walls may be compromised, resulting in lower oncotic pressure and thus, fluid leaking into surrounding tissues causing edema and reduced effective blood volume. The administration of albumin helps re-establish normal oncotic pressure by increasing the protein content in the blood, promoting fluid re-entry into the vascular system, and assisting with edema management.

Plasma Volume Restoration

Restoring plasma volume is a critical component of treating patients with extensive burns. Albumin, due to its molecular properties, is an effective agent for plasma volume expansion. By increasing the oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, albumin administration leads to the movement of fluid from the interstitial space back into the circulatory system.

For healthcare providers, recognizing the signs of reduced plasma volume and understanding how albumin can mitigate these issues is essential. Symptoms of depleted plasma volume include decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and reduced urine output, among others. Albumin's role in treatment protocols is to swiftly address these symptoms and stabilize the patient during the acute management of burns and other similar conditions.