RNC-NIC EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES Q $A 2026
INSTANTANT DOWNOAD PDF
1. A term neonate presents with grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions shortly after birth.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Meconium aspiration syndrome
B. Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)
C. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
D. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Answer: C
Rationale: Grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions are hallmark signs of RDS in term or near-
term infants due to surfactant deficiency.
2. Which intervention is most appropriate for a neonate with hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL)?
A. IV glucose infusion
B. Oral breast milk only
C. Wait and monitor
D. Administer insulin
Answer: A
Rationale: IV glucose provides rapid correction of hypoglycemia, preventing
neurodevelopmental complications.
,3. A neonate born at 28 weeks gestation develops apnea of prematurity. Which is the first-line
treatment?
A. Caffeine citrate
B. Mechanical ventilation
C. Oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Surfactant therapy
Answer: A
Rationale: Caffeine stimulates the central respiratory center and is the first-line therapy for
apnea of prematurity.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of neonatal sepsis within the first 72
hours of life?
A. Group B Streptococcus
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Escherichia coli
D. Listeria monocytogenes
Answer: A
Rationale: Early-onset sepsis is most commonly caused by vertical transmission of Group B
Streptococcus from the mother.
5. A preterm infant with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may present with:
A. Bounding pulses and a continuous murmur
B. Cyanosis of the lower extremities
C. Abdominal distension only
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: PDA causes left-to-right shunting, leading to bounding pulses, a continuous
“machinery” murmur, and signs of pulmonary overcirculation.
6. Which lab value is most indicative of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a neonate?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Thrombocytopenia
C. Elevated AST/ALT
D. Leukopenia only
, Answer: B
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is a key laboratory finding in NEC due to systemic inflammation
and platelet consumption.
7. The preferred site for arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling in neonates is:
A. Radial artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Umbilical artery
D. Femoral artery
Answer: C
Rationale: Umbilical artery catheters provide reliable ABG sampling with minimal trauma in
neonates.
8. Surfactant therapy is indicated for which condition?
A. TTN
B. Meconium aspiration syndrome
C. RDS
D. Persistent pulmonary hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension and is life-saving in neonatal RDS,
especially in preterm infants.
9. Which of the following is a complication of prolonged oxygen therapy in neonates?
A. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
B. NEC
C. Hyperbilirubinemia
D. Neonatal sepsis
Answer: A
Rationale: High oxygen concentrations can damage retinal vessels in preterm infants, causing
ROP.
10. A 32-week neonate is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which complication
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperbilirubinemia
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES Q $A 2026
INSTANTANT DOWNOAD PDF
1. A term neonate presents with grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions shortly after birth.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Meconium aspiration syndrome
B. Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)
C. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
D. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Answer: C
Rationale: Grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions are hallmark signs of RDS in term or near-
term infants due to surfactant deficiency.
2. Which intervention is most appropriate for a neonate with hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL)?
A. IV glucose infusion
B. Oral breast milk only
C. Wait and monitor
D. Administer insulin
Answer: A
Rationale: IV glucose provides rapid correction of hypoglycemia, preventing
neurodevelopmental complications.
,3. A neonate born at 28 weeks gestation develops apnea of prematurity. Which is the first-line
treatment?
A. Caffeine citrate
B. Mechanical ventilation
C. Oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Surfactant therapy
Answer: A
Rationale: Caffeine stimulates the central respiratory center and is the first-line therapy for
apnea of prematurity.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of neonatal sepsis within the first 72
hours of life?
A. Group B Streptococcus
B. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Escherichia coli
D. Listeria monocytogenes
Answer: A
Rationale: Early-onset sepsis is most commonly caused by vertical transmission of Group B
Streptococcus from the mother.
5. A preterm infant with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may present with:
A. Bounding pulses and a continuous murmur
B. Cyanosis of the lower extremities
C. Abdominal distension only
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: PDA causes left-to-right shunting, leading to bounding pulses, a continuous
“machinery” murmur, and signs of pulmonary overcirculation.
6. Which lab value is most indicative of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a neonate?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Thrombocytopenia
C. Elevated AST/ALT
D. Leukopenia only
, Answer: B
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is a key laboratory finding in NEC due to systemic inflammation
and platelet consumption.
7. The preferred site for arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling in neonates is:
A. Radial artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Umbilical artery
D. Femoral artery
Answer: C
Rationale: Umbilical artery catheters provide reliable ABG sampling with minimal trauma in
neonates.
8. Surfactant therapy is indicated for which condition?
A. TTN
B. Meconium aspiration syndrome
C. RDS
D. Persistent pulmonary hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension and is life-saving in neonatal RDS,
especially in preterm infants.
9. Which of the following is a complication of prolonged oxygen therapy in neonates?
A. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
B. NEC
C. Hyperbilirubinemia
D. Neonatal sepsis
Answer: A
Rationale: High oxygen concentrations can damage retinal vessels in preterm infants, causing
ROP.
10. A 32-week neonate is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which complication
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperbilirubinemia
