Heart Development

Question 1

The embryonic stage of prenatal development lasts until:

A. Implantation
B. 8 weeks post conception
C. 12 weeks gestation
D. Birth

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The single heart tube forms during:

A. Week 2
B. Week 3
C. Week 4
D. Week 5

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The foetal heart begins to beat in:

A. Week 3
B. Week 4
C. Week 6
D. Week 8

Answer 3

B

Question 4

By weeks 7–8 of development:

A. The heart is fully mature
B. The lungs are fully functional
C. Ventricles separate and great vessels form
D. The ductus arteriosus closes

Answer 4

C

Question 5

The heart is considered fully formed by:

A. Week 6
B. Week 7
C. Week 8
D. Week 9

Answer 5

D

Question 6

Most foetal blood bypasses the lungs via the:

A. Ductus arteriosus only
B. Pulmonary trunk
C. Foramen ovale
D. Superior vena cava

Answer 6

C

Question 7

Oxygenated blood from the placenta reaches the foetal IVC through the:

A. Umbilical artery
B. Ductus arteriosus
C. Ductus venosus
D. Coronary sinus

Answer 7

C

Question 8

The ductus arteriosus connects the:

A. Right atrium to left atrium
B. Pulmonary artery to aorta
C. Aorta to inferior vena cava
D. Umbilical vein to aorta

Answer 8

B

Question 9

The ductus arteriosus normally closes by:

A. 24 hours
B. 2 days
C. 4 days
D. 2 weeks

Answer 9

C

Question 10

After birth, left atrial pressure increases mainly due to:

A. Umbilical blood flow increasing
B. Clamping of the umbilical cord
C. Reduced systemic resistance
D. Closure of the tricuspid valve

Answer 10

B

Question 11

Increased oxygen levels after birth contribute to closure of the:

A. Foramen ovale only
B. Ductus venosus only
C. Umbilical arteries
D. Ductus arteriosus

Answer 11

D

Question 12

The ductus venosus becomes the:

A. Ligamentum arteriosum
B. Fossa ovalis
C. Ligamentum venosum
D. Coronary ligament

Answer 12

C

Question 13

Foetal haemoglobin has:

A. Lower oxygen affinity than adult Hb
B. The same oxygen affinity as adult Hb
C. Higher oxygen affinity than adult Hb
D. No ability to bind oxygen

Answer 13

C

Question 14

Foetal haemoglobin is largely replaced by adult haemoglobin by approximately:

A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 1 year

Answer 14

B

Question 15

In foetal circulation, pressure is normally higher in the:

A. Left side of the heart
B. Right side of the heart
C. Aorta only
D. Left ventricle only

Answer 15

B

Question 16

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is classified as:

A. Cyanotic heart disease
B. Obstructive lesion
C. Acyanotic left-to-right shunt
D. Right-to-left shunt

Answer 16

C

Question 17

A large ventricular septal defect (VSD) may lead to:

A. Immediate cyanosis only
B. Early heart failure
C. Closure at birth
D. Reduced pulmonary blood flow

Answer 17

B

Question 18

Coarctation of the aorta is best described as:

A. A hole in the ventricular septum
B. Narrowing of the aorta
C. Failure of ductus arteriosus closure
D. Pulmonary artery obstruction

Answer 18

B

Question 19

Cyanotic heart disease is typically caused by:

A. Left-to-right shunting only
B. Valve narrowing only
C. Right-to-left shunting of deoxygenated blood
D. Excess pulmonary oxygenation

Answer 19

C

Question 20

Tetralogy of Fallot includes:

A. Atrial septal defect
B. Mitral valve stenosis
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy
D. Pulmonary stenosis

Answer 20

D

Question 21

Cardiac defects can often be diagnosed as early as:

A. 12 weeks gestation
B. 16 weeks gestation
C. 20 weeks gestation
D. 28 weeks gestation

Answer 21

C

Question 22

A patent ductus arteriosus is considered permanent if it remains open after:

A. 4 days
B. 1 week
C. 2 weeks
D. 1 month

Answer 22

D