NCLEX Certification NCLEX-RN Question # 66 Topic 9 Discussion

(A) The foramen ovale permits a percentage of the blood to shunt from the right atrium to the left atrium. The blood then goes to the left ventricle, permitting systemic fetal circulation with blood containing a higher O2 saturation. (B) As the blood shunts from the right atrium to the left atrium, the pulmonary system is bypassed. The fetus receives O2 from the maternal circulation, thereby permitting the partial bypass of the pulmonary system. (C) The foramen ovale is locatedin the atrial septum of the heart and does not affect the liver. (D) The superior vena cava returns blood to the heart, bringing blood to the location of the foramen ovale.