NCLEX Chronic Illness Practice Questions Related

Review NCLEX Chronic Illness Practice Questions related questions and content

Which of the following is FALSE about brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)?

  • A. Plasma levels of BNP often correspond to the severity of underlying cardiac dysfunction and can provide relatively reliable prognostic information
  • B. It is secreted in response by the atria and ventricles in response to stretching for increased wall tension
  • C. Obesity, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, angiotensin receptor antagonists, and aldosterone antagonists can lead to falsely high levels of BNP
  • D. Common conditions that may falsely elevate plasma BNP levels include age and significant renal dysfunction
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: BNP reflects cardiac dysfunction severity and wall tension response true. Age and renal dysfunction elevate BNP falsely true. However, obesity, diuretics, ACEi, beta blockers, ARBs, and MRAs lower BNP (obesity reduces secretion, drugs reduce tension), not raise it making this false. High BNP (>1,000 pg/mL) signals poor prognosis. This corrects BNP interpretation in chronic HF.