OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

Albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining blood volume and oncotic pressure, which helps pull tissue fluid into capillaries. This protein, produced by the liver, has a high affinity for water and acts to hold water within the bloodstream, preventing excessive fluid from leaking into tissues. This process is vital for regulating blood pressure and ensuring that adequate blood volume is maintained for proper circulation and nutrient delivery.

Prothrombin is primarily involved in blood coagulation and not in fluid balance. Gamma globulin consists of antibodies that are key in immune responses but do not contribute to maintaining blood volume. Hemoglobin is responsible for oxygen transport in red blood cells and does not have a direct role in fluid balance. Thus, among the options provided, albumin is the essential protein that effectively helps maintain blood volume by regulating the movement of fluids between the vascular and interstitial compartments.