@qlexnursing: Heart failure isn't diagnosed with just one test — it’s a full clinical picture. Here's a quick guide to the most important diagnostic tools every nurse should know: 🔬 BNP / NT-proBNP: Measures heart stress — elevated levels point to heart failure. ❤️ Ejection Fraction (EF): A key measure of how well the heart pumps with each beat. Low EF? Think systolic dysfunction. 🖥️ ECG (EKG): Detects arrhythmias, ischemia, hypertrophy. 🩻 Chest X-ray (CXR): Assesses heart size and lung congestion. 🧠 Cardiac MRI & Echocardiogram: Gives detailed structure and function info, especially EF and valve motion. 🏃♂️ Stress Test: Measures heart performance under stress (exercise or meds). 🩸 Blood Tests & ABGs: Evaluate organ perfusion, acid-base status, oxygenation. 💧 Urinalysis: Detects renal involvement. 🫀 Cardiac Cath (Angiography): Looks at coronary arteries and chamber pressures. 📚 Every nurse should be able to recognize the role of these tests in diagnosing and managing HF. Save this post and refer back as you prep for your next cardiac case or exam! #nclexrn #nclexpn #studyguide #nurse #qlexnursing
