Which of the following laboratory tests would be the most useful in assisting the physician in differentiating congestive heart failure from other conditions that have similar clinical presentations?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a protein that is released by cardiac ventricles in response to both ventricle volume expansion and pressure overload seen in congestive heart failure.The concern with this test is that BNP may also be elevated in other conditions (e.g., renal disease) or in association with certain medications (e.g., beta-blockers), so the physician should be aware that elevated BNP may not be specific for congestive heart failure.

Which of the Following Laboratory Tests Would Be the Most