B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide

Common use

Specimen

Normal findings

Description

This procedure is contraindicated for

• high alertPatients receiving Nesiritide. Nesiritide (Natrecor) is a recombinant form of BNP that may be given therapeutically by IV to patients in acutely decompensated heart failure; with some assays, BNP levels may be transiently and significantly elevated at the time of administration and must be interpreted with caution. The testing laboratory should be consulted to verify whether test measurements are affected by Natrecor.

Indications

• Assist in determining the prognosis and therapy of patients with heart failure
• Assist in the diagnosis of heart failure
• Assist in differentiating heart failure from pulmonary disease
• Cost-effective screen for left ventricular dysfunction; positive findings would point to the need for echocardiography and further assessment

Potential diagnosis

Increased in

BNP is secreted in response to increased hemodynamic load caused by physiological stimuli, as with ventricular stretch or endocrine stimuli from the aldosterone/renin system.
• Cardiac inflammation (myocarditis, cardiac allograft rejection)
• Cirrhosis
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Heart failure
• Kawasaki’s disease
• Left ventricular hypertrophy
• Myocardial infarction
• Primary hyperaldosteronism
• Primary pulmonary hypertension
• Renal failure
• Ventricular dysfunction

Decreased in

N/A

Critical findings

N/A

Interfering factors

N/A

Nursing Implications and Procedure

Potential nursing problems

Pretest

• Positively identify the patient using at least two unique identifiers before providing care, treatment, or services.
• Patient Teaching: Inform the patient this test can assist in diagnosing congestive heart failure.
• Obtain a history of the patient’s complaints, including a list of known allergens, especially allergies or sensitivities to latex.
• Obtain a history of the patient’s cardiovascular system, symptoms, and results of previously performed laboratory tests and diagnostic and surgical procedures.
• Obtain a list of the patient’s current medications, including herbs, nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals (see Effects of Natural Products on Laboratory Values online at DavisPlus).
• Review the procedure with the patient. Inform the patient that specimen collection takes approximately 5 to 10 min. Address concerns about pain and explain to the patient that there may be some discomfort during the venipuncture.
• Sensitivity to social and cultural issues, as well as concern for modesty, is important in providing psychological support before, during, and after the procedure.
• Note that there are no food, fluid, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.

Intratest

• Potential complications: N/A
• Avoid the use of equipment containing latex if the patient has a history of allergic reaction to latex.
• Instruct the patient to cooperate fully and to follow directions. Direct the patient to breathe normally and to avoid unnecessary movement.
• Observe standard precautions, and follow the general guidelines in Patient Preparation and Specimen Collection. Positively identify the patient, and label the appropriate specimen container with the corresponding patient demographics, initials of the person collecting the specimen, date, and time of collection. Perform a venipuncture.
• Remove the needle and apply direct pressure with dry gauze to stop bleeding. Observe/assess venipuncture site for bleeding or hematoma formation and secure gauze with adhesive bandage.
• Promptly transport the specimen to the laboratory for processing and analysis.

Post-Test

• Inform the patient that a report of the results will be made available to the requesting health-care provider (HCP), who will discuss the results with the patient.
• Treatment Considerations for CHF: Recognize anxiety related to test results, and ensure that the patient (if not currently taking) is placed on an ACE inhibitor, β blocker, and diuretic, and is monitored with daily weight measurement. Discuss risk factors. Teach the patient to safely administer ordered oxygen, as appropriate.
• Nutritional Considerations: Instruct patients to consume a variety of foods within the basic food groups, eat foods high in potassium when taking diuretics, eat a diet high in fiber (25 to 35 g/day), maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, limit salt intake to 2,000 mg/day, limit alcohol intake, and be a nonsmoker.
• Nutritional Considerations: Foods high in potassium include fruits such as bananas, strawberries, oranges; cantaloupes; green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli; dried fruits such as dates, prunes, and raisins; legumes such as peas and pinto beans; nuts and whole grains.
• Depending on the results of this procedure, additional testing may be performed to evaluate or monitor progression of the disease process and determine the need for a change in therapy. Evaluate test results in relation to the patient’s symptoms and other tests performed.

• Patient Education

  • Reinforce information given by the patient’s HCP regarding further testing, treatment, or referral to another HCP.
  • Answer any questions or address any concerns voiced by the patient or family.
  • Explain to the patient and family the importance of reporting life-threatening changes such as cool extremities, pallor, and diaphoresis to HCP immediately
  • Ensure family understands to report any changes in mental status such as confusion.

• Expected Patient Outcomes

  • Knowledge
  • Recites the importance of limiting fluids to decrease cardiac stress
  • Describes the purpose of taking the prescribed diuretic
  • Skills
  • Accurately describes strategies to limit fluid intake and decrease cardiac stress
  • Accurately demonstrates how to keep an accurate intake and output
  • Attitude
  • Compliant with taking all medications as prescribed to support cardiac health
  • Adheres to treatment recommendations that can help to prevent a potentially life-threatening situation

Related Monographs

• Related tests include angiography pulmonary, AST, ANF, calcium and ionized calcium, CRP, CK and isoenzymes, CT scoring, echocardiography, glucose, homocysteine, Holter monitor, LDH and isoenzymes, magnesium, MRI chest, MI scan, myocardial perfusion heart scan, myoglobin, PET heart, potassium, and troponin.
• Refer to the Cardiovascular System table at the end of the book for related tests by body system.