Which two symptoms might indicate low serum albumin in CKD patients?

Low serum albumin levels in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients can be indicative of various underlying issues, including malnutrition and protein loss. Muscle wasting is a common symptom associated with low serum albumin because inadequate protein intake or absorption can lead to the body breaking down muscle tissue to meet its protein needs. This muscle wasting contributes to the overall decline in nutritional status.

Fatigue is another symptom that may arise in patients with low serum albumin. This is often due to several factors, including anemia and overall poor nutritional status, which can result from inadequate protein consumption. Low albumin levels can compromise the body’s ability to maintain adequate oncotic pressure, potentially leading to edema and further complications that contribute to fatigue.

The other options present symptoms that do not align as closely with the classic manifestations of low serum albumin. For instance, dehydration does not directly correlate with low albumin, as dehydration can actually cause an increase in concentration if the overall serum volume decreases. Additionally, while a poor appetite can be associated with malnutrition, rapid weight gain is not a typical manifestation of low serum albumin but could indicate fluid retention or other metabolic abnormalities. Thus, the symptoms of muscle wasting and fatigue directly relate to the physiological effects of low serum albumin levels