Patent Ductus Arteriosus Questions And
Answers NCLEX Exam 2022
1. You’re caring for a 2-day-old infant with a large patent ductus arteriosus. The mother
of the infant is anxious and asks you to explain her child’s condition to her again. Which
statement below BEST describes this condition?
A. “The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary vein has closed prematurely, which
is leading to increased blood flow to the lungs.”
B. “The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery has failed to close at birth,
which is leading to a left-to-right shunt of blood.”
C. The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary vein has failed to close at birth,
which is leading to a right-to-left shunt of blood.”
D. “The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery has closed prematurely,
which is leading to a left-to-right shunt of blood.”
The answer is B. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs when the vessel that normally
connects the aorta and pulmonary artery in utero has failed to close at birth, which leads
to a left-to-right shunting of blood. This shunting of blood will increase blood flow to the
lungs and can cause pulmonary hypertension and eventually heart failure (left-sided),
especially if the PDA is large.
2. As the nurse you know which statements below are correct about the ductus
arteriosus? Select all that apply:
A. “The ductus arteriosus is a structure that should be present in all babies in utero.”
B. “The ductus arteriosus normally closes about 3 days after birth or sooner.”
C. “The purpose of the ductus arteriosus is to help carry blood that is entering the left
side of the heart to the rest of the body, hence bypassing the lungs.”
Answers NCLEX Exam 2022
1. You’re caring for a 2-day-old infant with a large patent ductus arteriosus. The mother
of the infant is anxious and asks you to explain her child’s condition to her again. Which
statement below BEST describes this condition?
A. “The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary vein has closed prematurely, which
is leading to increased blood flow to the lungs.”
B. “The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery has failed to close at birth,
which is leading to a left-to-right shunt of blood.”
C. The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary vein has failed to close at birth,
which is leading to a right-to-left shunt of blood.”
D. “The vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery has closed prematurely,
which is leading to a left-to-right shunt of blood.”
The answer is B. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs when the vessel that normally
connects the aorta and pulmonary artery in utero has failed to close at birth, which leads
to a left-to-right shunting of blood. This shunting of blood will increase blood flow to the
lungs and can cause pulmonary hypertension and eventually heart failure (left-sided),
especially if the PDA is large.
2. As the nurse you know which statements below are correct about the ductus
arteriosus? Select all that apply:
A. “The ductus arteriosus is a structure that should be present in all babies in utero.”
B. “The ductus arteriosus normally closes about 3 days after birth or sooner.”
C. “The purpose of the ductus arteriosus is to help carry blood that is entering the left
side of the heart to the rest of the body, hence bypassing the lungs.”
