Investigations: Bloods for specific conditions Flashcards
1
Q
What can cause a false lower reading of BNP (hiding detection of heart failure)
A
- obesity
- African or African–Caribbean family origin
- diuretics
- ACE inhibitors, ARBs
- beta‑blockers
- mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs)
2
Q
Apart from heart failure, what else causes a high BNP
A
- over 70 years
- left ventricular hypertrophy
- heart ischaemia
- tachycardia
- right ventricular overload
- hypoxaemia [including pulmonary embolism]
- renal dysfunction [eGFR less than 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2]
- sepsis
- COPD
- diabetes,
- liver cirrhosis
3
Q
Which drug can cause a non-infective increase in WCC
A
Steroids
4
Q
Causes of low albumin
A
Heart failure Cirrhosis Malabsorption syndromes Nephrotic syndrome Acute/chronic inflammatory responses
5
Q
Cause of low amylase
A
Chronic pancreatitis
6
Q
What to screen for in isolated high ALP
A
Vitamin D deficiency
