A murmur has been discovered during the routine physical examination of a 1-year-old child. The parent is extremely concerned about this diagnosis. Which of the following explanations by the nurse…

Question

Options

• AThe blood shifts from the right to the left atrium.
• BSurgical closure by suture or patch is recommended before school age.
• CMost atrial septal defects close spontaneously.
• DThe child can be treated medically with antibiotics to prevent bacterial endocarditis.

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  89% (31)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  6% (2)

Explanation

(A) Because the left atrial pressure is greater than right atrial pressure, oxygenated blood flows from the left to the right atria. (B) Because of the risk of pulmonary obstructive diseases and congestive heart failure later in life, surgery is usually performed between age 4 and 6 years, with essentially no operative mortality or postoperative complications. (C) Many ventricular septal defects close spontaneously (20-60%) as a result of growth and proliferation of the muscular septum or formation of a membrane across the opening. (D) This management is usually recommended with children with mild pulmonary stenosis.

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