The parents of a 3-year-old ask the nurse what are the defects associated with tetralogy of Fallot. The correct response by the nurse is:

Explanation

•It is called a tetralogy because four anomalies are present: pulmonary valve stenosis, ventricular septal defect (usually large), overriding of the aorta, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle.

•Because of the pulmonary stenosis, pressure builds up in the right side of the heart. Blood then shunts from from this area of increased pressure into the left ventricle and the overriding aorta (Aortic opening is directly over the septal defect). The extra effort involved to force blood through the stenosed pulmonary artery causes the fourth deformity, hypertrophy of the right ventricle.

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