Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) Questions And Answers NCLEX Exam 2022

1. A newborn baby is born with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). You’re explaining the condition to the parents. Which statement by the father demonstrates he understood the education provided about this condition? A. “The pulmonary vein and artery are switched, which causes the pulmonary vein to deliver unoxygenated blood to the systemic circulation while the pulmonary artery delivers oxygenated blood back to the lungs.” B. “The aorta and pulmonary vein are switched, which causes the aorta to arise from the right ventricle and the pulmonary vein to arise from the left ventricle.” C. “The aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, which causes the aorta to arise from the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery to arise from the right ventricle.” D. “The aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, which causes the aorta to arise from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery to arise from the left ventricle.” The answer is D. Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a congenital heart defect where the pulmonary artery and aorta are in SWITCHED positions (hence transposed). This will cause the aorta to arise from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery to arise from the left ventricle. 2. A newborn baby with transposition of the great arteries has an echocardiogram performed to detect if any other defects are present in the heart. As the nurse, you know that what other defects can most commonly occur with TGA? Select all that apply: A. Complete atrioventricular canal defect B. Ventricular septal defect C. Patent ductus arteriosus D. Tricuspid atresia E. Tetralogy of fallot F. Atrial septal defect The answers are B, C and F. Some babies may have slight communication between the right and left side of the heart in TGA, if another type of congenital defect is present (which many times this is the case). The other defects present in TGA may actually provide short-term benefits because it will allow unoxygenated blood to mix with oxygenated blood to enter the body. These other defects most commonly include: ventricular septal defect (doesn’t allow much mixing), atrial septal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus (note the PDA is usually kept open on purpose after birth with a medication called prostaglandin E “alprostadil” to allow for more oxygenated blood to enter the body until surgery is performed).