After the closure of ductus arteriosus is known as?

Appeared in: HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, bypassing the lungs.
After birth, hormonal changes (decreased prostaglandins) and increased blood oxygen levels cause this vessel to constrict and close.
Following its anatomical closure, the ductus arteriosus becomes a non-functional, fibrous cord called the ligamentum arteriosum.
This process is a normal part of the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation.

Option B: The ligamentum venosum is the remnant of the ductus venosus, not the ductus arteriosus. The ductus venosus shunts blood past the liver in the fetus.
Option C: The fossa ovalis is the remnant of the foramen ovale, an opening between the right and left atria in the fetal heart.
Option D: Bregma is an anatomical point on the skull, specifically the junction of the sagittal and coronal sutures (the anterior fontanelle). It is unrelated to the circulatory system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Fetal circulation and its postnatal remnants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation is crucial for assessing newborns. Failure of the ductus arteriosus to close results in Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a common congenital heart defect.
Nurses assess for signs of PDA, such as a continuous machine-like murmur heard best under the left clavicle, bounding pulses, and signs of respiratory distress or heart failure.
In premature infants, medications like indomethacin (a prostaglandin inhibitor) may be administered to promote the closure of a PDA.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on anatomy and physiology.
Identify the key structure in the question: 'ductus arteriosus'.
Recall the changes that occur in the circulatory system after birth.
Specifically, remember the adult remnants of the three major fetal shunts: ductus arteriosus, ductus venosus, and foramen ovale.
Match 'ductus arteriosus' to its correct remnant, 'ligamentum arteriosum'.
Eliminate the other options by identifying what they are remnants of (ligamentum venosum, fossa ovalis) or if they are unrelated (bregma).

Concept Tested & Keywords

QFGUi_1qAgZcMninXI5TYh

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 523-525

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 2 pp. 59-61, 56-58

Practise the full HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.