The 50-year-old previously healthy patient complains of shortness of breath, especially on exertion or when laying down to sleep. She takes over-the-counter allergy medicine for seasonal allergies and melatonin to help her sleep sometimes. Her vital signs are heart rate of 64 bpm, respirations 22, oxygen saturation 99%, and blood pressure 114/68 mmHg. Her assessment is notable for crackles over the bilateral lung bases and a moderate diastolic apical murmur. The nurse prepares the patient for which initial tests? Select all that apply.

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Chest x-ray , Echocardiogram, Electrocardiogram. The patient&rsquo;s symptoms suggest a valvular insufficiency that is causing cardiac and respiratory problems. A chest x-ray evaluates the lung crackles and the echocardiogram and electrocardiogram evaluate the form, function, and electrical activity of the heart. Her vital signs and presentation are not consistent with sepsis, so blood cultures are unnecessary. She has good oxygen saturation on room air, so an arterial blood gas is not necessary either. The patient may eventually need a cardiac catheterization, but the EKG, echocardiogram, and chest x-ray are the initial tests.

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