The nurse reviews the lab test results of a patient who has heart failure (HF). Which test result would be most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider (HCP)?

Choice A reason: Hearing deficits are not commonly associated with digoxin toxicity. The typical symptoms involve gastrointestinal, neurological, and visual changes³.

Choice B reason: Jaundice is not a manifestation of digoxin toxicity. It is more commonly related to liver conditions³.

Choice C reason: Anorexia is a common symptom of digoxin toxicity, along with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These gastrointestinal symptoms are important indicators for nurses to monitor³.

Choice D reason: Ataxia, or lack of muscle coordination, is not a typical sign of digoxin toxicity. The primary concerns with toxicity are cardiac arrhythmias and gastrointestinal symptoms³.

Choice A reason: Creatine kinase can be elevated in heart failure but is not as specific as BNP for this condition.

Choice B reason: Myoglobin is a muscle protein that can be released into the bloodstream after muscle injury, including heart muscle, but it is not as specific for heart failure as BNP.

Choice C reason: Troponin is a marker of heart muscle injury and can be elevated in heart failure, but BNP is more directly related to the diagnosis and severity of heart failure.

Choice D reason: Serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is specifically released by the ventricles in response to excessive stretching of heart muscle cells, making it a key marker for heart failure. Elevated levels of BNP are directly correlated with the severity of heart failure and are important for both diagnosis and management.