Dyspnea, cough, and pulmonary crackles are symptoms that can occur in left ventricular failure and respiratory disorders, such as pneumonia. Which of the blood tests below can be used to differentiate cardiovascular from pulmonary disease?
A. B type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Arterial blood gases
D. High sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP)
ANS: A
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)—For patients with cardiovascular disease and comorbid respiratory disease, BNP can help differentiate a cardiac from a respiratory etiology of dyspnea. High levels of BNP in the blood, greater than 400 mg/dL, occur if heart failure is present.
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