Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 65%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
While assessing a newborn with respiratory distress, the nurse auscultates a machine-like heart murmur. Other findings are a widened pulse pressure, pulmonary congestion and right ventricular hypertrophy.The nurse suspects that the newborn has:
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). In a newborn, PDA is a common congenital heart defect where the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, leading to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. This condition can present with symptoms such as a continuous heart murmur and respiratory distress. Kawasaki disease (A) is a systemic vasculitis affecting children, not typically seen in newborns. Tricuspid Atresia (B) is a congenital heart defect where the tricuspid valve is missing, leading to cyanosis and heart failure, usually diagnosed in infants. Tetralogy of Fallot (C) is a complex congenital heart defect characterized by four specific heart abnormalities, not typically present in a newborn.