Which lab result would indicate a bacterial infection in a patient with suspected heart failure?

A high procalcitonin level is indicative of a bacterial infection, particularly in patients who may have complex clinical scenarios such as heart failure. Procalcitonin is a peptide that is often elevated in response to bacterial infections, differentiating them from viral infections or other inflammatory conditions. It can help clinicians assess the likelihood of a bacterial infection even when the patient presents with symptoms that might overlap with heart failure.

In the context of heart failure, where the patient may already have compromised physiological status, the elevation of procalcitonin can be a critical marker to guide treatment decisions. The higher the procalcitonin level, the stronger the indication of a bacterial infection, making it a relevant laboratory finding in diagnosing and managing potential infections in heart failure patients.

The other options do not provide the same indication of a bacterial infection. For instance, a low white blood cell count suggests a possible viral infection or other non-bacterial condition. Elevated blood glucose can result from stress or other metabolic issues but does not specifically indicate an ongoing infection. Finally, normal creatinine levels mainly pertain to kidney function and do not provide direct insight into the presence of infection.