Fetal Circulation Questions And Answers NCLEX
Exam 2022
1. What structures in fetal circulation play a role in shunting blood away from the
LUNGS? Select all that apply:
A. Ductus arteriosus
B. Ductus venosus
C. Umbilical artery
D. Foramen ovale
E. Umbilical vein
The answers are A and D. The ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale are the structures
that help blood flow bypass (or shunt) away from the lungs. These structures seal off and
become nonfunctional after birth. The ductus venosus plays a role with shunting blood
from the LIVER (not lungs).
2. Select the structures in fetal circulation that play a role with shunting blood away
from the lungs and liver? Select all that apply:
A. Umbilical vein
B. Ductus venosus
C. Foramen ovale
D. Umbilical artery
E. Ductus arteriosus
, The answers are B, C, and E. These structures play a role with shunting blood from the
lungs and liver. The ductus venosus shunts some blood from the LIVER, and the foramen
ovale and ductus arteriosus shunt blood from the LUNGS.
3. Which statement below accurately describes the role of the ductus arteriosus?
A. “The ductus arteriosus helps connect the umbilical artery to the inferior vena cava.”
B. “The ductus arteriosus is found between the right and left atrium.”
C. “In fetal circulation the pulmonary artery and aorta are connected via the ductus
arteriosus.”
D. “The ductus arteriosus only carries oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart
to the right side.”
The answer is C. This is the only correct statement about the ductus arteriosus. This
structure connects the pulmonary artery and aorta, which helps carry mixed blood
(oxygenated and deoxygenated blood) to the lower body and back to the placenta via
the umbilical arteries (which branch off the descending aorta). This structure helps shunt
blood away from the lungs.
4. Fill in the blank: The ______________ carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to
the fetus. Some of the blood flow from this structure is shunted from the __________ to
the ___________ via the _______________.
A. umbilical artery, lungs, aorta, ductus arteriosus
B. umbilical vein, liver, inferior vena cava, ductus venosus
C. umbilical vein, liver, superior vena cava, ductus arteriosus
D. umbilical artery, liver, inferior vena cava, ductus venosus
Exam 2022
1. What structures in fetal circulation play a role in shunting blood away from the
LUNGS? Select all that apply:
A. Ductus arteriosus
B. Ductus venosus
C. Umbilical artery
D. Foramen ovale
E. Umbilical vein
The answers are A and D. The ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale are the structures
that help blood flow bypass (or shunt) away from the lungs. These structures seal off and
become nonfunctional after birth. The ductus venosus plays a role with shunting blood
from the LIVER (not lungs).
2. Select the structures in fetal circulation that play a role with shunting blood away
from the lungs and liver? Select all that apply:
A. Umbilical vein
B. Ductus venosus
C. Foramen ovale
D. Umbilical artery
E. Ductus arteriosus
, The answers are B, C, and E. These structures play a role with shunting blood from the
lungs and liver. The ductus venosus shunts some blood from the LIVER, and the foramen
ovale and ductus arteriosus shunt blood from the LUNGS.
3. Which statement below accurately describes the role of the ductus arteriosus?
A. “The ductus arteriosus helps connect the umbilical artery to the inferior vena cava.”
B. “The ductus arteriosus is found between the right and left atrium.”
C. “In fetal circulation the pulmonary artery and aorta are connected via the ductus
arteriosus.”
D. “The ductus arteriosus only carries oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart
to the right side.”
The answer is C. This is the only correct statement about the ductus arteriosus. This
structure connects the pulmonary artery and aorta, which helps carry mixed blood
(oxygenated and deoxygenated blood) to the lower body and back to the placenta via
the umbilical arteries (which branch off the descending aorta). This structure helps shunt
blood away from the lungs.
4. Fill in the blank: The ______________ carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to
the fetus. Some of the blood flow from this structure is shunted from the __________ to
the ___________ via the _______________.
A. umbilical artery, lungs, aorta, ductus arteriosus
B. umbilical vein, liver, inferior vena cava, ductus venosus
C. umbilical vein, liver, superior vena cava, ductus arteriosus
D. umbilical artery, liver, inferior vena cava, ductus venosus
