Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following conditions typically shows increased total protein levels?

1. Kidney disease

2. Liver disease

3. Dehydration

4. Poor nutrition

The correct answer is: Dehydration

In the context of the question regarding conditions that typically show increased total protein levels, dehydration stands out as the correct answer. When a patient is dehydrated, the concentration of solutes in their blood, including proteins, can increase due to a decrease in plasma volume. This does not necessarily indicate an increase in the actual production of protein but reflects a relative increase as the fluid component of blood decreases. On the other hand, kidney disease usually leads to protein loss through urine, resulting in decreased total protein levels. Liver disease impacts protein synthesis negatively and thus also tends to lower total protein levels, particularly albumin. Poor nutrition typically causes a deficiency in protein intake, leading to lower protein levels overall due to a lack of substrates necessary for protein synthesis. Therefore, in contrast to these conditions, dehydration clearly leads to increased total protein levels as a result of hemoconcentration.