Which condition is most likely indicated by both low albumin and prolonged PT/INR?

The presence of both low albumin levels and a prolonged PT/INR is most indicative of liver cirrhosis. This condition is characterized by impaired liver function, which can lead to several metabolic abnormalities.

In liver cirrhosis, the liver's ability to synthesize proteins, including albumin, is diminished. Albumin is a key protein that helps maintain osmotic pressure in the blood and transport various substances. When the liver is damaged, as in cirrhosis, the production of albumin drops, resulting in low serum albumin levels.

Furthermore, the liver plays a crucial role in producing clotting factors, which are vital for the coagulation process. Conditions that affect liver function can disrupt the production of these factors, leading to an increased prothrombin time (PT) and an elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR). A prolonged PT/INR indicates that the blood takes longer to clot, which can be due to deficiencies in clotting factors synthesized by the liver.

Together, these findings of low albumin and prolonged PT/INR strongly suggest that liver cirrhosis is the underlying condition affecting the patient's health.