Pathophysiology
One of the babies I cared for today was born at 33 weeks and was born with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). When the baby is in the mother’s uterus, the ductus arteriosus (DA) diverts blood from the pulmonary artery and moves it directly into the aorta, bypassing pulmonary circulation, because the lungs are not functioning and are filled with fluid. The DA opening is possible through the production of prostaglandins in the vessel allowing for it to stay patent (Kim, 2015, p.1). When the fetus is born the DA undergoes a transition, which occurs approximately 15-48 hours after birth and is this when the arteriosus constricts and closes. The blood is no longer shunted from the pulmonary artery to the aorta. Instead, it moves into a normal circulatory pattern. Normal circulation occurs when deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium and moves on through the right side of the heart to the pulmonary system where it is oxygenated and then moves back to the heart and out of the left ventricle to supply oxygen and nutrients throughout the body (Kim, 2016).
A PDA occurs when the DA fails to close completely after delivery. When the DA vessel does not constrict and close, a left-to-right …show more content…
One of the children I was caring for had a mother who would come to the baby when called by the nurse to feed, however she did not seem to have a connection with the child.We discussed ways to bond and care for the child and tried to promote mother to stay at infants bedside when available. I think this was important to see because you could see many educational and referrals that may be necessary prior to the discharge of her infant. I also learned that we do a follow up call approximately one week after discharge to follow up on the infant and see how the family is adjusting. This promotes a safety and the family
One of the babies I cared for today was born at 33 weeks and was born with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). When the baby is in the mother’s uterus, the ductus arteriosus (DA) diverts blood from the pulmonary artery and moves it directly into the aorta, bypassing pulmonary circulation, because the lungs are not functioning and are filled with fluid. The DA opening is possible through the production of prostaglandins in the vessel allowing for it to stay patent (Kim, 2015, p.1). When the fetus is born the DA undergoes a transition, which occurs approximately 15-48 hours after birth and is this when the arteriosus constricts and closes. The blood is no longer shunted from the pulmonary artery to the aorta. Instead, it moves into a normal circulatory pattern. Normal circulation occurs when deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium and moves on through the right side of the heart to the pulmonary system where it is oxygenated and then moves back to the heart and out of the left ventricle to supply oxygen and nutrients throughout the body (Kim, 2016).
A PDA occurs when the DA fails to close completely after delivery. When the DA vessel does not constrict and close, a left-to-right …show more content…
One of the children I was caring for had a mother who would come to the baby when called by the nurse to feed, however she did not seem to have a connection with the child.We discussed ways to bond and care for the child and tried to promote mother to stay at infants bedside when available. I think this was important to see because you could see many educational and referrals that may be necessary prior to the discharge of her infant. I also learned that we do a follow up call approximately one week after discharge to follow up on the infant and see how the family is adjusting. This promotes a safety and the family