Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT considered an acyanotic defect?

1. Patent ductus arteriosus

2. Atrial septal defects

3. Aortic stenosis

4. Coarctation of the aorta

The correct answer is: Aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis is the correct answer because it is recognized as a type of obstructive heart defect, which can lead to reduced blood flow and subsequent left ventricular hypertrophy. While it does not cause cyanosis at rest, it can result in symptoms like exertional dyspnea and fatigue, especially during periods of increased demand. In contrast, other options listed—like patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defects, and coarctation of the aorta—are classified as acyanotic defects because they generally do not result in significant desaturation of oxygen in the blood. Patent ductus arteriosus, for instance, allows blood to flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, leading to increased pulmonary circulation without significant deoxygenation. Atrial septal defects cause left-to-right shunting of blood, which does not affect the overall oxygenation of blood but can lead to volume overload of the right side of the heart. Coarctation of the aorta, although it can cause hypertension in the upper body and reduced perfusion to the lower body, does not typically present as cyanosis in the typical setting. Hence, aortic stenosis stands out as not fitting the acyanotic category due to