Clinical Laboratory DX Exam 2 Practice

Which item is listed as a cause of decreased BUN?

Liver failure Negative nitrogen balance Nephrotic syndrome Over hydration

Correct Answer:

Negative nitrogen balance

Explanation:

Blood urea nitrogen reflects how much urea the liver makes from ammonia during protein metabolism. When nitrogen balance is negative, the body is losing more nitrogen than it gains, so there’s less amino acid substrate available for deamination and urea formation. With less urea produced, the BUN level falls. This direct link between inadequate nitrogen intake and reduced urea synthesis makes negative nitrogen balance the best explanation for a decrease in BUN in a nutrition-focused context.

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