ATI Pediatric Medications Test Related

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How will a ventricular septal defect affect blood flow?

  • A. Blood will shunt left to right, causing increased pulmonary flow and no cyanosis.
  • B. Blood will shunt right to left, causing decreased pulmonary flow and cyanosis.
  • C. No shunting occurs due to high pressure in the left ventricle.
  • D. Increased pressure in the left atrium hinders the circulation of oxygenated blood in the circulating volume.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A ventricular septal defect allows blood to shunt left to right, leading to increased pulmonary flow. This results in oxygenated blood mixing with deoxygenated blood, causing no cyanosis as the mixed blood is still oxygenated. The shunting from left to right overloads the pulmonary circulation, leading to increased pulmonary flow. Choice B is incorrect because blood does not shunt right to left in a ventricular septal defect. Choice C is incorrect as shunting does occur due to the pressure differences between the ventricles. Choice D is incorrect because the defect affects the ventricles, not the atrium, and does not hinder the circulation of oxygenated blood in the circulating volume.