Certified Pediatric Nurse Exam Practice Questions Related

Review Certified Pediatric Nurse Exam Practice Questions related questions and content

The ductus arteriosus is another fetal structure that is important in the intrauterine life. It functions to:

  • A. Shunts the combined cardiac output from the pulmonary artery to the aorta going to the lungs
  • B. Shunts the combined cardiac output from the pulmonary artery to the systemic circulation
  • C. Shunts the combined cardiac output from the aorta to the pulmonary artery and later to the pulmonary veins
  • D. Shunts the combined cardiac output from the aorta to the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle 48
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The ductus arteriosus is a fetal blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta. Its main function is to bypass the non-functional fetal lungs by shunting blood from the pulmonary artery (which carries deoxygenated blood) directly to the systemic circulation, specifically the aorta. This allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to be distributed to the body's organs and tissues without having to first pass through the lungs for oxygen exchange. After birth, when the baby begins to breathe and oxygenate its blood through the lungs, the ductus arteriosus normally closes within the first few days to weeks of life.