An infant has a patent ductus arteriosus. This anomaly occurs ...

[fahad]

An infant has a patent ductus arteriosus. This anomaly occurs when:
 
  a. The opening between the right and left atria fails to close after birth.
  b. The structure that shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta remains open after birth.
  c. The aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery originates from the left ventricle.
  d. There is a narrowing of the aorta near the level of the ductus arteriosus.

Question 2

The nurse assessing a newborn recognizes that the most critical physiologic change required of the newborn is:
 
  a. Initiation and maintenance of respiration
  b. Closure of fetal shunts in the circulatory system
  c. Maintenance of a stable temperature
  d. Full function of the immune system at birth

[TINA]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The ductus arteriosus shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, bypassing the lungs during fetal life. The functional closure of the ductus arteriosus usually occurs approximately 15 to 20 hours after birth, with fibrosis of the ductus occurring approximately 3 to 4 weeks after birth. The structure allowing blood to flow from right atrium to left atrium is the foramen ovale. The abnormality of the aorta arising from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery originating from the left ventricle is known as transposition of the great vessels. Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
To live independently from the mother, pulmonary ventilation must be quickly established through lung expansion. The first breath of a healthy newborn occurs within seconds after birth, and by 30 seconds of life the neonate usually is breathing well on his or her own.

[fahad]

Excellent

[kthug]

Great answer, keep it coming