What does the surgical closure of the ductus arteriosus do?
A) Stop the loss of unoxygenated blood to the systemic circulation
B) Decrease the edema in legs and feet
C) Increase the oxygenation of blood
D) Prevent the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ductus arteriosus allows blood to flow from the higher-pressure aorta to the lower-pressure pulmonary artery, causing a right-to-left shunt. If this is surgically closed, no additional oxygenated blood (from the aorta) will return to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. The aorta carries oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation. Because of the higher pressure in the aorta, blood is shunted into the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary circulation. Edema in the legs and feet is usually a sign of heart failure. This repair would not directly affect the edema. Increasing the oxygenation of blood would not interfere with the return of oxygenated blood to the lungs.

What Does the Surgical Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus Do