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

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)is secreted when ventricular pressures increase,as they do with heart failure. Elevated BNP indicates a probable or very probable diagnosis of heart failure. A 12-lead electrocardiogram,arterial blood gases,and troponin may also 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