[momthenRN]

Explain the N peptide test and what causes the elevation. Any info would be helpful....Thanks

[CraigB-RN]

Originally Posted by momthenRN

Explain the N peptide test and what causes the elevation. Any info would be helpful....Thanks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_natriuretic_peptide

It's not on the level of a peer review journal but it's a start.

[Christie RN2006]

Its actually BNP and it is used to diagnose heart failure. The website Craig posted explains it a lot more.

[Morettia2]

elevated BNP is a sign of CHF, I was told at a critical care course that BNP lab test is the definitive dx for CHF/heart failure, BUT I have had pt's thats BNP was WNL and the pt. still was Dx. with CHF. Usually if it's 1000 or above, I believe , it's a sign of CHF..but I would read up on it. I had never herd of BNP untill I started on my floor, I didn't larn about it in Nursing school, I only knew of the CHF in the text books from school. The hospital Critical care classes I took as a new RN went into depth about BNP and CHF..hope this helps

[RNFELICITY]

Originally Posted by Morettia2

elevated BNP is a sign of CHF, I was told at a critical care course that BNP lab test is the definitive dx for CHF/heart failure, BUT I have had pt's thats BNP was WNL and the pt. still was Dx. with CHF. Usually if it's 1000 or above, I believe , it's a sign of CHF..but I would read up on it. I had never herd of BNP untill I started on my floor, I didn't larn about it in Nursing school, I only knew of the CHF in the text books from school. The hospital Critical care classes I took as a new RN went into depth about BNP and CHF..hope this helps

For us, over 100 is abnormal. But, like you said, I had a patient this week whose BNP was 141 but they sounded like they were drowing in a jacuzzi.

BNP is a realtively (in nursing terms) new lab to follow but it is usually very accurate.

[heysmalls]

At our hospital, if the BNP is over 100, then the pt is dx CHF. However, if the pt is on Natrecor, and the dr wants to recheck the BNP....expect it to be high. Natrecor causes a rise in the BNP results.