Truncus Arteriosus Questions And Answers NCLEX Exam 2022

1. A newborn is diagnosed with truncus arteriosus. You’re educating the parents about this heart defect. Which statement by the mother demonstrates she understood the education provided about this condition? A. “My baby has narrowing in the pulmonary artery, and the aorta is arising out of the right ventricle rather than the left ventricle.” B. “My baby’s heart shares one artery that connects the right and left ventricles.” C. “The left side of my baby’s heart is not fully developed.” D. “The natural structure in my baby’s heart, the ductus arteriosus, has failed to close after birth leading to more blood flow to the lungs.” The answer is B. Truncus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect where there is ONE artery along with one truncal valve that connects the right and left ventricles. This structure will function to carry blood to both the lungs and body. In a normal heart, there should be TWO separate arteries (pulmonary artery and aorta) with their own valves (instead of one truncal valve). The pulmonary artery will carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs, and the aorta will carry blood from the left side of the heart to the body. 2. What other congenital heart defect is most commonly present in truncus arteriosus? A. Atrial septal defect B. Pulmonary stenosis C. Tetralogy of Fallot D. Ventricular septal defect The answer is D. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is commonly present in this CHD. The VSD will be near the truncus arteriosus and it will allow blood to mix in the right and left ventricles and enter the truncus artery. It is very uncommon for one not to be present.