Atrial septal defect
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
CardiacPediatricsOB / Newbornmedium priorityneeds review
Atrial septal defect
Also testable as: ASD
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Congenital hole in the septum between the atria.
- Left-to-right shunting can increase pulmonary blood flow and strain the right side of the heart over time.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Signs / symptoms
- Often subtle murmur or exercise intolerance.
- Infant cardiac issues often show during feeding.
Nursing actions
- Assess murmur, fatigue with feeds or activity, respiratory infections, growth, and cyanosis.
- Monitor for heart failure signs in infants and children.
- Teach follow-up and closure/procedure expectations if ordered.
Complications
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Right heart enlargement
- Dysrhythmias
- Stroke risk in selected defects
NCLEX cues
- Often subtle murmur or exercise intolerance.
- Infant cardiac issues often show during feeding.
Memory hooks
- ASD is a hole between atria.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Echocardiogram
- Pulse oximetry
- Chest x-ray or ECG when ordered
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
Atrial septal defect
Condition card for Atrial septal defect: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Termcondition cue
ASD
Congenital opening between the atria that can affect pulmonary blood flow.
Termcondition cue
Murmur
An extra or unusual heart sound caused by turbulent blood flow.
Procedureprocedure
Cardiac catheterization
Catheter-based heart and vessel study or intervention.
Procedureprocedure
Echocardiogram
Ultrasound of heart structure, valves, movement, and blood flow.