ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

The condition that allows blood to shunt between the right and left ventricles is called:

1. Patent ductus arteriosus

2. Coarctation of the aorta

3. Atrial septal defect

4. Ventricular septal defect

The correct answer is: Ventricular septal defect

The condition that allows blood to shunt between the right and left ventricles is known as a ventricular septal defect (VSD). This congenital heart defect occurs when there is a hole in the septum, the wall separating the two ventricles of the heart. Because of this defect, oxygenated blood from the left ventricle can flow into the right ventricle instead of moving out to the body. This abnormal flow can lead to an over-circulation of blood in the lungs and an increase in pulmonary blood flow, which can cause various complications over time, such as heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. The presence of a VSD can be detected through physical examinations, such as a characteristic heart murmur, and confirmed through imaging studies like echocardiography. In contrast, the other options represent different types of cardiovascular abnormalities. Patent ductus arteriosus involves the persistence of a blood vessel that usually closes after birth, allowing blood to flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Coarctation of the aorta refers to a narrowing of the aorta, leading to increased blood pressure before the constriction and low blood pressure beyond it. An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall separating the atria,