An infant undergoes an echocardiogram for a suspected heart defect. Tests reveal an opening in the middle of the atrial septum. What term would the nurse use to describe this defect?

a. Ostium primum
b. Ostium secundum
c. Sinus venosus
d. Eisenmenger syndrome

ANS: B
An opening in the middle of the atrial septum is referred to as an ostium secundum ASD.
An ostium primum ASD is an opening low in the atrial septum and may be associated with ab-normalities of the mitral valve. A sinus venosus ASD is an opening usually high in the atrial wall and may be associated with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Eisenmenger syn-drome is a condition in which shunting of blood is reversed because of high pulmonary pressure and resistance.