Question

The nurse is caring for an infant with suspected patent ductus arteriosus. Which of the following assessment findings would the nurse expect?

A) Thrill at the base of the heart
B) Harsh, continuous, machine-like murmur
C) Faint pulses
D) Systolic murmur along the left sternal border

Answer 1

A patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital condition in which the ductus arteriosus fails to close, resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath, tachycardia, enlarged heart, and poor weight gain in infants. Treatment options include surgical closure, manual closure using platinum coils or specialized mesh, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital condition in which the ductus arteriosus fails to close. The condition may range from severe to benign. Failure of the ductus arteriosus to close results in blood flowing from the higher pressure aorta into the lower pressure pulmonary trunk. This additional fluid moving toward the lungs increases pulmonary pressure and makes respiration difficult. Symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea), tachycardia, enlarged heart, a widened pulse pressure, and poor weight gain in infants. Treatments include surgical closure (ligation), manual closure using platinum coils or specialized mesh inserted via the femoral artery or vein, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to block the synthesis of prostaglandin E2, which maintains the vessel in an open position. If untreated, the condition can result in congestive heart failure.