Question

The nurse is assessing the client diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Which laboratory data would indicate that the client is in severe congestive heart failure?

1. An elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).
2. An elevated creatine kinase (CK-MB).
3. A positive D-dimer.
4. A positive ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan.

Answer 1

An elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) would indicate severe congestive heart failure. BNP is produced by ventricles under stress, revealing the heart's struggle to pump blood effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

In assessing a client diagnosed with congestive heart failure, the laboratory data that would indicate the client is in severe congestive heart failure is an elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). BNP is a hormone produced by your heart's ventricles and is released when they are unable to pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. A high level of BNP in the blood is indicative of heart failure.

An elevated creatine kinase (CK-MB) often indicates damage to the heart muscle and is usually associated with a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. A positive D-dimer test is more related to blood clotting issues, and a positive ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is used to assess for pulmonary embolism.