Chapter 33: Alterations of Cardiovascular Function in Children

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Most cardiovascular developments occur between which weeks of gestation?
a. Fourth and seventh weeks
c. Twelfth and fourteenth weeks
b. Eighth and tenth weeks
d. Fifteenth and seventeenth weeks
ANS: A

Cardiogenesis begins at approximately 3 weeks gestation; however, most cardiovascular

development occurs between 4 and 7 weeks gestation.
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REF: Page 1194

2. The function of the foramen ovale in a fetus allows what to occur?

a. Right-to-left blood shunting
c. Blood flow from the umbilical cord
b. Left-to-right blood shunting
d. Blood flow to the lungs
ANS: A

The nonfused septum secundum and ostium secundum result in the formation of a flapped
orifice known as the foramen ovale, which allows the right-to-left shunting necessary for fetal
circulation. The foramen ovale is not involved in the blood flow described by the other
options.
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REF: Pages 1195-1196

3. At birth, which statement is true?

a. Systemic resistance and pulmonary resistance fall.
b. Gas exchange shifts from the placenta to the lung.
c. Systemic resistance falls and pulmonary resistance rises.
d. Systemic resistance and pulmonary resistance rise.
ANS: B

From the available options, the only change that takes place in the circulation at birth is the
shift of gas exchange from the placenta to the lungs.
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REF: Page 1197

4. When does systemic vascular resistance in infants begin to increase?

a. One month before birth
b. During the beginning stage of labor
c. One hour after birth
d. Once the placenta is removed from circulation
ANS: D

The low-resistance placenta is removed from circulation, which causes an immediate increase
in systemic vascular resistance to approximately twice of that before birth.
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REF: Page 1197

5. Which event triggers congenital heart defects that cause acyanotic congestive heart failure?

a. Right-to-left shunts
b. Left-to-right shunts

c. Obstructive lesions
d. Mixed lesions

ANS: B

Congenital heart defects that cause acyanotic congestive heart failure usually involve left-toright shunts (see Table 33-4). Acyanotic congestive heart failure does not involve any of the
other options.
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REF: Pages 1201-1202 | Table 33-4

6. Older children with an unrepaired cardiac septal defect experience cyanosis because of which

factor?
a. Right-to-left shunts
b. Left-to-right shunts

c. Obstructive lesions
d. Mixed lesions

ANS: A

Older children who have an unrepaired septal defect with a left-to-right shunt may become
cyanotic because of pulmonary vascular changes secondary to increased pulmonary blood
flow. None of the other options accurately describe the process that results in cyanosis.
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REF: Page 1202

7. Which congenital heart defects occur in trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and Down syndrome?
a. Coarctation of the aorta (COA) and pulmonary stenosis (PS)
b. Tetralogy of Fallot and persistent truncus arteriosus
c. Atrial septal defect (ASD) and dextrocardia
d. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
ANS: D

Congenital heart defects that are related to dysfunction of trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and Down
syndrome include VSD and PDA (see Table 33-2). The other defects are not associated with
dysfunction of trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and Down syndrome.
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REF: Page 1200 | Table 33-2

8. An infant has a continuous machine-type murmur best heard at the left upper sternal border

throughout systole and diastole, as well as a bounding pulse and a thrill on palpation. These
clinical findings are consistent with which congenital heart defect?
a. Atrial septal defect (ASD)
c. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
b. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
d. Atrioventricular canal (AVC) defect
ANS: C

If pulmonary vascular resistance has fallen, then infants with PDA will characteristically have
a continuous machine-type murmur best heard at the left upper sternal border throughout
systole and diastole. If the PDA is significant, then the infant also will have bounding pulses,
an active precordium, a thrill on palpation, and signs and symptoms of pulmonary
overcirculation. The presentations of the other congenital heart defects are not consistent with
the described the symptoms.
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REF: Pages 1203-1204

9. An infant has a crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur located between the second

and third intercostal spaces along the left sternal border. A wide fixed splitting of the second
heart sound is also found. These clinical findings are consistent with which congenital heart
defect?
a. Atrial septal defect (ASD)
c. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
b. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
d. Atrioventricular canal (AVC) defect
ANS: A

Because most children with ASD are asymptomatic, diagnosis is usually made during a
routine physical examination by the auscultation of a crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection
murmur that reflects increased blood flow through the pulmonary valve. The location of the
murmur is between the second and third intercostal spaces along the left sternal border. A
wide fixed splitting of the second heart sound is also characteristic of ASD, reflecting volume
overload to the right ventricle and causing prolonged ejection time and a delay of pulmonic
valve closure. The presentations of other congenital heart defects are not consistent with the
described symptoms.
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REF: Pages 1204-1205

10. An infant has a loud, harsh, holosystolic murmur and systolic thrill that can be detected at the

left lower sternal border that radiates to the neck. These clinical findings are consistent with
which congenital heart defect?
a. Atrial septal defect (ASD)
c. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
b. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
d. Atrioventricular canal (AVC) defect
ANS: B

On physical examination, a loud, harsh, holosystolic murmur and systolic thrill can be
detected at the left lower sternal border. The intensity of the murmur reflects the pressure
gradient across the VSD. An apical diastolic rumble may be present with a moderate-to-large
defect, reflecting increased flow across the mitral valve. The presentations of the other
congenital heart defects are not consistent with the described symptoms.
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REF: Page 1205

11. Where can coarctation of the aorta (COA) be located?

a. Exclusively on the aortic arch
b. Proximal to the brachiocephalic artery
c. Between the origin of the aortic arch and the bifurcation of the aorta in the lower

abdomen
d. Between the origin of the aortic arch and the origin of the first intercostal artery
ANS: C

COA can occur anywhere between the origin of the aortic arch and the bifurcation of the aorta
in the lower abdomen. The other options do not accurately describe the location of a COA.
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REF: Page 1210

12. Classic manifestations of a systolic ejection murmur heard at the left interscapular area, cool

mottled skin on the lower extremities but hypertension noted in the upper extremities, and
decreased or absent femoral pulse are indicative of an older child with which congenital
defect?

a. Tetralogy of Fallot
b. Aortic stenosis

c. Ventricular septum defect (SD)

d. Coarctation of the aorta (OA)

ANS: D

Clinical manifestations of coarctation of the aorta include hypertension noted in the upper
extremities with decreased or absent pulses in the lower extremities. Children may also have
cool mottled skin and occasionally experience leg cramps during exercise. A systolic ejection
murmur, heard best at the left interscapular area, is also considered a classic clinical
manifestation of this disorder. The other options are not initially associated with these
symptoms.
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REF: Pages 1210-1212

13. What is the initial manifestation of aortic coarctation observed in a neonate?

a. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
c. Pulmonary hypertension
b. Cor pulmonale
d. Cerebral hypertension
ANS: A

Initially, the newborn usually exhibits symptoms of CHF. The other options are not initially
associated with aortic coarctation.
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REF: Page 1212

14. Which compensatory mechanism is spontaneously used by children diagnosed with tetralogy

of Fallot to relieve hypoxic spells?

a. Lying on their left side
b. Performing the Valsalva maneuver

c. Squatting
d. Hyperventilating

ANS: C

Squatting is a spontaneous compensatory mechanism used by older children to alleviate

hypoxic spells. Squatting and its variants increase systemic resistance while decreasing
venous return to the heart from the inferior vena cava. The other options would not result in
these changes.
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REF: Page 1209

15. An infant diagnosed with a small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) would likely exhibit which

symptom?
a. Intermittent murmur
b. Lack of symptoms

c. Need for surgical repair

d. Triad of congenital defects

ANS: B

Infants with a small PDA usually remain asymptomatic; the other options are incorrect.
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REF: Pages 1203-1204

16. What is the most common cause of chronic sustained hypertension observed only in a

newborn?
a. Renal parenchymal disease
b. Primary hypertension
ANS: D

c. Renal artery stenosis

d. Congenital renal malformation

Congenital renal malformation is a cause of chronic sustained hypertension in a newborn.

Although renal artery stenosis is observed in newborns, it is also observed in older children.
Renal parenchymal disease and primary hypertension are commonly observed in older
children diagnosed with chronic sustained hypertension.
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REF: Page 1220 | Table 33-8

17. Which condition is consistent with the cardiac defect of transposition of the great vessels?
a. The aorta arises from the right ventricle.
b. The pulmonary trunk arises from the right ventricle.
c. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs.
d. An intermittent murmur is present.
ANS: A

Transposition of the great arteries refers to a condition in which the aorta arises from the right
ventricle and the pulmonary artery arises from the left ventricle. A transposition of the great
vessels is not associated with any of the other options.
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REF: Pages 1214-1215

18. Which scenario describes total anomalous pulmonary venous return?

a. The foramen ovale closes after birth.
b. Pulmonary venous return is to the right atrium.
c. Pulmonary venous return is to the left atrium.
d. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood.
ANS: B

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return occurs when the pulmonary veins abnormally
connect to the right side of the heart either directly or through one or more systemic veins that
drain into the right atrium. None of the other options accurately describe the presentation of a
total anomalous pulmonary venous return.
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REF: Page 1216

19. Which heart defect produces a systolic ejection murmur at the right upper sternal border that

transmits to the neck and left lower sternal border?

c. Aortic stenosis
d. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

a. Coarctation of the aorta

b. Pulmonic stenosis
ANS: C

Blood flow through the stenotic area of the aorta produces a systolic ejection murmur at the
right upper sternal border that transmits to the neck and left lower sternal border. None of the
other options produce the described assessment findings.
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REF: Page 1212

20. Which heart defect produces a systolic ejection click at the upper left sternal border with a

thrill palpated at the upper left sternal border?

a. Coarctation of the aorta (COA)
b. Pulmonary stenosis (PS)
ANS: B

c. Aortic stenosis
d. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

PS results in a systolic ejection murmur at the left upper sternal border, reflecting an
obstruction to flow through the narrowed pulmonary valve. A variable systolic ejection click
is present in some children, as well as valvular stenosis at the upper left sternal border. PS also
produces a thrill that may be palpated at the upper left sternal border. None of the other
options produce the described assessment findings.
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REF: Page 1213

21. Which heart defect results in a single vessel arising from both ventricles, providing blood to

both the pulmonary and systemic circulations?

Coarctation of the aorta
Tetralogy of Fallot
Total anomalous pulmonary connection
Truncus arteriosus

a.
b.
c.
d.

ANS: D

Truncus arteriosus is the failure of the large embryonic artery, the truncus arteriosus, to divide
into the pulmonary artery and the aorta, which results in a single vessel arising from both
ventricles, providing blood flow to the pulmonary and systemic circulations. None of the other
options produce the described structural malformation.
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REF: Page 1217

22. What is the suggested mean blood pressure for an 8- to 9-year-old child?
a. 104/55 mm Hg
c. 112/62 mm Hg
b. 106/58 mm Hg
d. 121/70 mm Hg
ANS: B

The suggested mean blood pressure for an 8- to 9- year-old child is 106/58 mm Hg. For a
child of 6 to 7 years old, 104/55 mm Hg is appropriate; for a 12- to 13-year-old child, 112/62
mm Hg is appropriate, and for a 16- to 18-year-old young man, 121/70 mm Hg is appropriate.
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REF: Page 1220 | Table 33-6

MULTIPLE RESPONSE
23. What congenital heart defects are associated with intrauterine exposure to rubella? (Select all

that apply.)
a. Pulmonary stenosis (PS)
b. Cardiomegaly
c. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
d. Coarctation of aorta (COA)
e. Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
ANS: A, C, D

PS, PDA, and COA are congenital heart defects associated with intrauterine exposure to
rubella. Cardiomegaly and VSD are associated with maternal diabetes.
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REF: Page 1199 | Table 33-1

24. Which symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease in a child? (Select all that

apply.)
Fever for 5 days or longer
Strawberry tongue
Peripheral edema
Inguinal lymphadenopathy
Bilateral conjunctival infection

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

ANS: A, B, C, E

The child must exhibit five of the following six criteria: (1) fever for 5 days or longer, (2)
bilateral conjunctival infection without exudation, (3) changes in oral mucus such as
strawberry tongue, (4) a polymorphous rash, (5) cervical lymphadenopathy, and (6) changes in
the extremities such as peripheral edema.
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REF: Page 1218 | Box 33-3

25. Which statements related to the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) system with

children are true? (Select all that apply.)

a. ABPM monitors blood pressure for a 24-hour period.
b. ABPM assists in identifying children with white coat hypertension.
c. ABPM is effective in identifying children at risk for target organ damage
d. ABPM assists in identifying children who demonstrate masked hypertension.
e. ABPM is effective in determining blood pressure load or hypertension for at least
48 hours.
ANS: A, B, C, D

ABPM records blood pressure over a 24-hour period to help identify those children with white
coat hypertension and masked hypertension. ABPM is useful in documenting the blood
pressure load, which is the total amount of time the blood pressure is elevated above normal
limits during a 24-hour period. By measuring blood pressure load, the ABPM may be able to
identify those children who are at greatest risk for target organ damage.
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REF: Page 1221 | What's New box

MATCHING

Match the phrases with the corresponding terms.

______ A. Causes atrial separation
______ B. Gap between the septum primum and the septum secundum
______ C. Conal portion of the ventricular septum
______ D. Abnormal communication between the atria
______ E. Allows right-to-left shunting
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Atrial septal defect

Foramen ovale
Septum secundum
Ostium primum
Bulbus cordis

26. ANS: D
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REF: Page 1196
MSC: An atrial septal defect is an abnormal communication between the atria.

27. ANS: E
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REF: Pages 1195-1196
MSC: The nonfused septum secundum and ostium secundum result in the formation of a flapped
orifice known as the foramen ovale, which allows the right-to-left shunting necessary for fetal
circulation.
28. ANS: A
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REF: Pages 1195-1196
MSC: The septum secundum is also a fenestrated, membranelike structure located anteriorly that
grows toward the endocardial cushions. During fetal development, this structure does not completely
fuse with the endocardial cushions, which results in atrial separation.
29. ANS: B
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REF: Page 1195
MSC: The septum primum forms along the posterior wall of the common atrium and grows
downward toward the septum secundum. The gap between the two structures, known as the ostium
primum, normally closes by extensions from the endocardial cushions.
30. ANS: C
PTS: 1
REF: Page 1196
MSC: The conal portion of the ventricular septum that separates the aorta from the pulmonary artery
forms from the bulbus cordis.