The test abbreviated as BNP stands for which?

• A. Brain Natriuretic Peptide
• B. Basic Natriuretic Peptide
• C. B-type Natriuretic Peptide
• D. Blood Urea Nitrogen

Answer: (C)

BNP stands for B-type Natriuretic Peptide. It is a hormone released mainly by the ventricles of the heart in response to increased wall stretch from volume or pressure overload. The “B” indicates B-type, distinguishing it from the A-type peptide produced by the atria (ANP). Although early research touched on brain tissue, the clinically relevant source in humans is the ventricles, so the correct expansion is B-type Natriuretic Peptide. The other options aren’t correct because they either reflect a historical misconception (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) or refer to something unrelated (Blood Urea Nitrogen), and the generic “Basic Natriuretic Peptide” isn’t the standard name.