Which diagnostic test will be most useful to the nurse in determining whether a patient admitted with acute shortness of breath has heart failure?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

BNP is secreted when ventricular pressures increase, as with heart failure, and elevated BNP indicates a probable or very probable diagnosis of heart failure. 12-lead ECGs, ABGs, and CK also may be used in determining the causes or effects of heart failure but are not as clearly diagnostic of heart failure as BNP.

Which Diagnostic Test Will Be Most Useful to the Nurse