Ace the CVS Pharmacy Exam 2025 - Your Prescription for Success!

The correct answer indicates that a significant portion of the adult population, specifically 15-25%, has a patent fossa ovalis. A patent fossa ovalis refers to an opening between the right and left atria that fails to close after birth. This condition is not uncommon, and studies show that the prevalence of a patent fossa ovalis in adults lies within this range.

Understanding this statistic is relevant in clinical settings, as many individuals with a patent fossa ovalis may remain asymptomatic and never require intervention. However, it can become clinically significant if associated with other conditions, such as paradoxical embolism, where a clot can pass from the right atrium to the left, potentially causing complications like stroke.

The other options, though they represent various ranges, do not accurately capture the widely accepted prevalence within the adult population, which is why the correct answer reflects this particular statistical finding.