Your patient with RDS has alveolar hypoxia and pulmonary vasoconstriction. How will this affect his blood flow?
1) Blood shunts through the foramen ovale
2) Increased systemic blood flow
3) Blood shunts through the ductus arteriosus
4) Decreased blood flow to the gut

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a fetus, blood shunts through the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, but in a patient with RDS, these shunts may remain open due to the alveolar hypoxia and pulmonary vasoconstriction. This can lead to decreased blood flow to the gut and increased risk for pulmonary hypertension, but not increased systemic blood flow. Therefore, only option B is correct.

Your Patient with RDS Has Alveolar Hypoxia and Pulmonary Vasoconstriction