Final answer:
A nurse should expect elevated troponin and BNP levels due to heart damage in a client with alcoholic cardiomyopathy, as well as elevated liver enzymes like ALT, AST, ALP, and possibly GGT due to liver damage. Thus, the correct answer is (d) All of the above.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse caring for a client with alcoholic cardiomyopathy should expect several laboratory findings that reflect heart and liver function. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy can lead to direct damage to the heart muscle, causing it to weaken and not pump effectively. In this context, one would expect to see increased troponin levels, which are indicative of cardiac muscle damage. Additionally, because the heart is struggling to pump efficiently, elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels might also be seen, as this peptide is released in response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload, which can occur in cardiomyopathy.
Moreover, since alcohol can also affect liver function, it is common to see elevated levels of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in patients with chronic alcohol use. AST and ALT are typically elevated in acute liver damage, with the AST/ALT ratio sometimes helping to differentiate causes of liver injury. ALP levels rise in cases of bile duct obstruction or liver disease. Finally, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is another enzyme that may be elevated due to alcohol toxicity.
Therefore, the most comprehensive answer, including the potential effects of alcoholic cardiomyopathy on both heart and liver functions, would be (d) All of the above.