A nurse is discussing the consequences of hypoalbuminemia with a client who has nephrotic syndrome. Which of the following complications is directly related to decreased serum albumin levels?

A) Incorrect. The glomerular endothelium is part of the glomerular filtration barrier, but it primarily restricts the passage of blood cells and large molecules.

B) Correct. The glomerular basement membrane acts as a selective barrier that prevents the loss of proteins, including albumin, into the urine.

C) Incorrect. Podocytes play a role in maintaining the integrity of the filtration barrier, but they are not the primary component responsible for preventing protein loss.

D) Incorrect. Bowman's capsule is involved in the initial filtration of blood components but does not play a direct role in preventing protein loss.

A) Incorrect. Increased sodium reabsorption in the renal tubules contributes to sodium and water retention but is not the primary cause of generalized edema in nephrotic syndrome.

B) Incorrect. Elevated blood pressure may contribute to capillary leakage, but it is not the primary cause of edema in nephrotic syndrome.

C) Correct. Decreased colloid osmotic pressure in the blood vessels, resulting from hypoalbuminemia due to proteinuria, leads to fluid shifting from the blood vessels into the interstitial spaces, causing generalized edema.

D) Incorrect. Hyperfiltration of glomerular capillaries is not a mechanism directly related to the development of edema in nephrotic syndrome.