A 72-year-old client is admitted with complaints of shortness of breath and fatigue. A laboratory test was ordered to assess for heart strain, and the result comes back at 900 pg/mL. What is the nurse's most appropriate action based on this result?
Record the test result in the chart and reassess the client’s condition in 4 hours.
Give the client a diuretic from their prescribed medications without notifying the provider.
Administer oxygen and adjust the client’s position to reduce symptoms of shortness of breath.
Notify the healthcare provider about the lab result and monitor the client's condition closely for worsening symptoms.
The laboratory test measuring 900 pg/mL is likely a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which is a marker of heart failure. Levels over 100 pg/mL often indicate some degree of heart failure, and a result this high points to severe heart failure, requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider and close monitoring for worsening symptoms. While interventions like oxygen therapy or repositioning may relieve symptoms of shortness of breath, they don’t address the root issue. Recording the lab result and delaying further action could lead to missed critical interventions. Administering a diuretic without provider notification violates nursing protocols and could result in improper treatment.
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