American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In assessing a patient with suspected heart failure, obtaining a chest X-ray is crucial as an initial step. This imaging technique provides quick insights into the size and shape of the heart and can reveal signs of fluid accumulation in the lungs, a common issue in heart failure. The presence of pulmonary congestion or cardiomegaly can support the diagnosis, allowing for immediate clinical decisions and interventions.

While cardiac enzyme levels, electrocardiograms, and complete blood counts can provide valuable information in the broader scope of evaluating cardiac function and overall health, they do not offer the immediate visual assessment that a chest X-ray provides. Cardiac enzymes are more specific for myocardial injury, an electrocardiogram assesses the electrical activity of the heart, and a complete blood count evaluates overall health but does not directly indicate heart failure status. Therefore, the chest X-ray stands out as an essential initial diagnostic tool in the assessment of suspected heart failure.