An alcoholic patient with advanced cirrhosis exhibits ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen). Which mechanism exacerbates this condition by reducing plasma oncotic pressure within liver sinusoids?

💡 Explanation

Impaired albumin synthesis leads to reduced plasma oncotic pressure, because albumin is a major determinant of colloid osmotic pressure; therefore, fluid leaks into the peritoneal cavity, rather than being retained within blood vessels, as occurs with proper protein concentrations.

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