Newborn nursing encompasses the essential care and support provided to infants from birth through the first few weeks of life, focusing on promoting health, preventing complications, and aiding parental bonding. Immediately after delivery, newborns undergo initial assessments like the Apgar score to evaluate heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and color, ensuring quick identification of any distress.
Feeding is a cornerstone of newborn care; exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, offering optimal nutrition and immunity. Nurses guide mothers on proper latching techniques, feeding frequency (typically 8-12 times daily), and signs of adequate intake, such as wet diapers and weight gain. If breastfeeding isn’t possible, formula feeding requires sterile preparation and appropriate quantities based on the infant’s age and weight.
Hygiene practices include gentle sponge baths 2-3 times a week to avoid drying the skin, careful umbilical cord care (keeping it clean and dry until it falls off), and regular diaper changes to prevent infections. Skin-to-skin contact with parents immediately after birth helps regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing while fostering emotional bonding.
Monitoring for common health issues is vital; watch for jaundice (yellowing of the skin, treatable with phototherapy if severe), respiratory distress, or signs of infection like fever. Routine check-ups involve tracking growth, administering vaccinations (e.g., hepatitis B at birth), and screening for congenital conditions.
Sleep safety is emphasized through the ABCs: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib, with no loose bedding to reduce SIDS risk. Encourage responsive parenting, where caregivers attend to the baby’s cues for comfort, and promote tummy time for motor development once the newborn is awake and supervised.
Table of contents
- Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI quiz generator – The easiest way to make quizzes online
- Part 2: 20 newborn nursing quiz questions & answers
- Part 3: OnlineExamMaker AI Question Generator: Generate questions for any topic
Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI quiz generator – The easiest way to make quizzes online
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Part 2: 20 newborn nursing quiz questions & answers
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1. Question: What is the primary purpose of the Apgar score in newborns?
A. To assess neurological development
B. To evaluate the newborn’s overall physical condition at birth
C. To measure the newborn’s weight and length
D. To determine the mother’s labor complications
Answer: B
Explanation: The Apgar score assesses the newborn’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to evaluate adaptation to extrauterine life.
2. Question: A newborn is born at 38 weeks gestation with a weight of 2.5 kg. How would this newborn be classified?
A. Preterm and low birth weight
B. Term and appropriate for gestational age
C. Post-term and macrosomic
D. Term and small for gestational age
Answer: B
Explanation: A newborn at 38 weeks is considered term, and a weight of 2.5 kg falls within the appropriate range for gestational age, typically between 2.5-4 kg.
3. Question: What is the normal respiratory rate for a newborn in the first few hours after birth?
A. 12-20 breaths per minute
B. 30-60 breaths per minute
C. 60-80 breaths per minute
D. 10-15 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Explanation: Newborns have a higher metabolic rate, so their normal respiratory rate is 30-60 breaths per minute to support rapid oxygenation needs.
4. Question: Which reflex is tested in a newborn by stroking the sole of the foot from the heel towards the toes?
A. Moro reflex
B. Babinski reflex
C. Rooting reflex
D. Grasp reflex
Answer: B
Explanation: The Babinski reflex causes the toes to fan out and the foot to twist when the sole is stroked, and it is normal in newborns but indicates potential neurological issues if present beyond infancy.
5. Question: A newborn exhibits jaundice on the second day of life. What is the most common cause?
A. Hemolytic disease
B. Physiological jaundice
C. Biliary atresia
D. Hepatitis
Answer: B
Explanation: Physiological jaundice occurs in about 60% of newborns due to immature liver function and increased bilirubin production from breakdown of fetal red blood cells.
6. Question: What is the recommended initial feeding method for most healthy newborns?
A. Formula feeding every 4 hours
B. Breastfeeding on demand
C. Tube feeding until stable
D. Water supplementation
Answer: B
Explanation: Breastfeeding on demand helps establish milk supply, provides colostrum with antibodies, and promotes bonding, typically starting within the first hour after birth.
7. Question: In newborn care, what does the acronym SIDS stand for, and what is its primary prevention strategy?
A. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; avoid smoking during pregnancy
B. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; place baby on back to sleep
C. Systemic Immune Deficiency Syndrome; vaccinate early
D. Severe Intestinal Distress Syndrome; use probiotics
Answer: B
Explanation: SIDS is reduced by placing infants on their back for sleep, using a firm sleep surface, and avoiding soft bedding to minimize risk factors.
8. Question: A newborn has a heart rate of 140 beats per minute. Is this within normal limits?
A. No, it is too low
B. No, it is too high
C. Yes, it is normal
D. Yes, but only for preterm infants
Answer: C
Explanation: A normal heart rate for newborns is 120-160 beats per minute, so 140 is within the expected range due to their higher metabolic demands.
9. Question: What sign might indicate hypoglycemia in a newborn?
A. Excessive crying
B. Jitteriness or tremors
C. Fever
D. Rapid weight gain
Answer: B
Explanation: Hypoglycemia in newborns can manifest as jitteriness, lethargy, or poor feeding, often requiring immediate glucose monitoring and intervention.
10. Question: When assessing a newborn’s skin, what condition is characterized by small white bumps on the face?
A. Milia
B. Mongolian spots
C. Erythema toxicum
D. Harlequin color change
Answer: A
Explanation: Milia are benign, small, white cysts on the skin of newborns caused by trapped keratin, typically resolving without treatment.
11. Question: What is the primary role of vitamin K administration in newborns?
A. To prevent bleeding disorders
B. To boost immunity
C. To aid in digestion
D. To promote bone growth
Answer: A
Explanation: Newborns have low vitamin K levels at birth, increasing the risk of hemorrhagic disease, so an injection is given to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
12. Question: A newborn is observed with acrocyanosis. What does this indicate?
A. Central cyanosis requiring oxygen
B. Normal peripheral blueness of hands and feet
C. Jaundice progression
D. Infection in the extremities
Answer: B
Explanation: Acrocyanosis is a common, benign condition in newborns where the hands and feet appear blue due to immature circulation, resolving as circulation improves.
13. Question: In newborn thermoregulation, what is the ideal environmental temperature range?
A. 18-20°C (64-68°F)
B. 22-25°C (72-77°F)
C. 26-28°C (79-82°F)
D. 15-18°C (59-64°F)
Answer: B
Explanation: Maintaining a neutral thermal environment of 22-25°C helps prevent heat loss and cold stress in newborns, who have limited ability to regulate body temperature.
14. Question: What is the first-line treatment for a newborn with meconium aspiration syndrome?
A. Antibiotics
B. Oxygen therapy and suctioning
C. Surgery
D. Fluid restriction
Answer: B
Explanation: Meconium aspiration requires immediate suctioning of the airway and oxygen support to clear the lungs and prevent respiratory distress.
15. Question: During a newborn bath, what precaution should be taken to maintain body temperature?
A. Use cold water
B. Bathe in a warm room with warm water
C. Expose the baby to air for drying
D. Bathe immediately after feeding
Answer: B
Explanation: Bathing in a warm room with warm water minimizes heat loss, as newborns can quickly become hypothermic due to their large surface area relative to body mass.
16. Question: What assessment tool is used to evaluate a newborn’s pain?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS)
C. Apgar score
D. Brazelton Scale
Answer: B
Explanation: The NIPS assesses facial expressions, cry, breathing patterns, arms, legs, and state of arousal to evaluate pain in newborns who cannot verbalize.
17. Question: A newborn with a cephalohematoma is observed. What is the key characteristic?
A. It crosses suture lines
B. It is a collection of blood under the periosteum
C. It requires immediate drainage
D. It indicates a skull fracture
Answer: B
Explanation: Cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal hemorrhage that does not cross suture lines and typically resolves over weeks without intervention.
18. Question: In promoting parent-infant bonding, what is a recommended practice?
A. Limiting skin-to-skin contact
B. Encouraging rooming-in
C. Separating the infant for observation
D. Delayed first feeding
Answer: B
Explanation: Rooming-in allows parents to care for and bond with their newborn, promoting attachment and successful breastfeeding.
19. Question: What is the normal range for a newborn’s blood glucose level in the first 24 hours?
A. 40-60 mg/dL
B. 20-40 mg/dL
C. 60-80 mg/dL
D. 10-20 mg/dL
Answer: A
Explanation: A blood glucose level of 40-60 mg/dL is considered normal for newborns to maintain energy without risking hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
20. Question: If a newborn shows signs of respiratory distress, what is an early intervention?
A. Administer antibiotics immediately
B. Provide supplemental oxygen and monitor
C. Wait for symptoms to resolve
D. Feed the baby to calm
Answer: B
Explanation: Early intervention for respiratory distress includes oxygen therapy and close monitoring to prevent worsening and ensure adequate oxygenation.
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