NCLEX-RN Maternal & Child Nursing
Questions and Rationales , Graded A+
1. Samantha, a seasoned pediatric nurse, is preparing for the discharge of a term
neonate who is just two days old. While conducting her meticulous final physical
examination, she scrutinizes the baby’s hands and palms. In Samantha’s observation,
which specific characteristic on the neonate’s palms would necessitate additional
evaluation?
A. Presence of a single, distinct crease running across the palm.
B. Numerous intersecting creases scattered over the palm.
C. Two dominant creases trans versing the breadth of the palm.
D. No visible creases found on the surface of the palm.
2. A new mother is preparing to take her baby home. During their conversation, she
curiously asks Nurse Rachel about the timeline for the closure of her baby’s “soft
spots”. Rachel explains to the mother that the anterior fontanel, one of the infant’s
‘soft spots,’ usually seals by what age range?
A. Between 2 to 3 months of age.
B. Approximately at 6 to 8 months of age.
C. Around the age of 12 to 18 months.
D. Typically between 20 to 24 months of age.
3. Nurse Alex is performing a physical assessment of a term neonate, while the baby’s
mother watches with interest. Alex then proceeds to examine the baby’s feet, sharing
some key details about the typical appearance of sole creases in a newborn. Alex tells
the mother that in a term neonate, the creases on the soles of the feet are…?
A. Dispersed uniformly over the entirety of the foot.
B. Exclusively visible beneath the heels.
C. Detected solely near the transverse arch of the foot.
D. Not present near the heel area.
4. While examining a newborn’s eyes, Nurse Jake observes several characteristics: no
tear production, different sized corneas, pupils constricting in response to bright light,
and red circles visible on the pupils during an ophthalmic examination. Which one of
these observations made by Nurse Jake would call for additional investigation?
,A. Pupil constriction in response to bright light.
B. The presence of red circles on the pupils.
C. The disparity in the sizes of the corneas.
D. Lack of tear production.
5. Nurse Lisa has been discussing the neonate’s positive Babinski reflex with the
mother. She gauges the mother’s understanding of this reflex based on the mother’s
response. Lisa concludes that the mother correctly understands the implications of a
positive Babinski reflex when she says it signifies?
A. A potential defect in the lower spinal cord.
B. Immature coordination of muscles.
C. Potential damage to the nerves that supply the feet.
D. An immature central nervous system.
6. Nurse Mark is set to conduct a physical assessment of a 24-hour-old male neonate,
who was born through vaginal delivery. He needs to carefully plan the timing of this
assessment. When should Mark ideally plan to assess the physical condition of the
neonate?
A. Right after the baby has been fed.
B. Just before feeding the baby.
C. After ensuring the baby has been NPO (nothing by mouth) for three hours.
D. In between the baby’s feeding times.
7. Nurse Jacob is performing an assessment of a 24-hour-old male neonate, who was
delivered vaginally. He notices a particular swelling on the neonate’s scalp that is soft,
puffy, and does not cross the suture lines. He knows that this swelling is likely to
resolve on its own over time. How should Nurse Jacob correctly document this type of
swelling observed on the neonate’s scalp that does not cross the suture lines?
A. As perinatal caput.
B. As caput succedaneum.
C. As cephalic hematoma.
D. As hemorrhage edema.
8. As part of a routine assessment, Nurse Amelia measures the head and chest
circumference of the neonate. Afterwards, she explains to the baby’s mother about the
typical comparison between these two measurements in neonates. Amelia
communicates to the mother that, when compared, the neonate’s head is generally?
,A. Approximately 4 centimeters larger in circumference than the chest.
B. Roughly 2 centimeters smaller in circumference than the chest.
C. Around 2 centimeters larger in circumference than the chest.
D. Essentially the same size in circumference as the chest.
9. After a conversation with a new mother about cranial molding in neonates, Nurse
Anna must evaluate the mother’s understanding. She listens carefully to the mother’s
statements to determine if further explanation is necessary. Which of the following
statements from the mother indicates to Nurse Anna that further instructions regarding
cranial molding are required?
A. “The molding occurs due to the cranial bones overlapping each other.”
B. “The molding will fade away within a few days.”
C. “The fontanels could be damaged if the molding doesn’t resolve quickly.”
D. “The extent of the molding is proportional to the amount of pressure exerted on the
head.”
10. Nurse Ethan is discussing the importance of sensory and visual stimulation with a
new mother. During the conversation, he plans to share information about which sense
is most developed in a neonate. Ethan informs the mother that the most highly
developed sense in a neonate is?
A. Smell
B. Hearing
C. Touch
D. Taste
11. Nurse Zoe is consulting with a mother who has brought her 4-month-old baby to
the clinic. The mother is curious about the right time to transition her baby from
breastfeeding to using a cup. Nurse Zoe plans to guide her based on signs of the
infant’s readiness to be weaned. Zoe advises the mother that the infant will exhibit
readiness to be weaned from breastfeeding when the infant starts?
A. Adhering to a regular eating schedule.
B. Spending less time nursing.
C. Sleeping throughout the night without interruptions.
D. Accepting solid foods without difficulties.
12. Nurse Laura is advising a mother whose infant, after breastfeeding, refuses to eat
the foods recommended by the physician. Laura needs to provide an effective
, suggestion for modifying the feeding plan. What suggestion should Nurse Laura offer
the mother to successfully alter the infant’s feeding routine?
A. Continue providing breast milk as long as the infant refuses to eat solid food.
B. Combine minced food with cow’s milk and feed it to the infant using a nipple with
a large hole.
C. First offer a dessert, followed by vegetables and meat.
D. Let the infant breastfeed for a few minutes, then introduce solid food.
13. Nurse Liam is conducting a routine developmental assessment of a 4-month-old
infant. He is evaluating the baby’s progress in mastering certain physical and
emotional skills at this stage of development. Which of the following abilities would
Nurse Liam anticipate a 4-month-old infant to possess?
A. Able to sit up without support.
B. Rolls from belly to back.
C. Walks while holding onto furniture.
D. Speaks in two-word sentences.
14. Nurse Emily is preparing to administer the Denver Developmental Screening Test
(DDST) to a five-month-old infant. She aims to clarify the purpose of this test to the
baby’s mother. What should Nurse Emily communicate to the mother about what the
DDST assesses in an infant?
A. Emotional developmental progress.
B. Susceptibility to genetic and allergic conditions.
C. Intelligence quotient.
D. Progress in social and physical activities.
15. Nurse Emma is having a conversation with the mother of a seven-month-old infant
about the baby’s motor skills development. She explains what the infant should
typically be able to do at this stage. Emma clarifies that by the age of seven months,
an infant is likely able to…?
A. Sit unassisted, using hands for balance.
B. Walk with assistance.
C. Stand while grasping onto furniture.
D. Feed themselves using a spoon.
16. Nurse Alex is assessing a one-month-old infant who has been brought to the clinic
for a check-up. He’s evaluating the baby’s progress against standard developmental
Questions and Rationales , Graded A+
1. Samantha, a seasoned pediatric nurse, is preparing for the discharge of a term
neonate who is just two days old. While conducting her meticulous final physical
examination, she scrutinizes the baby’s hands and palms. In Samantha’s observation,
which specific characteristic on the neonate’s palms would necessitate additional
evaluation?
A. Presence of a single, distinct crease running across the palm.
B. Numerous intersecting creases scattered over the palm.
C. Two dominant creases trans versing the breadth of the palm.
D. No visible creases found on the surface of the palm.
2. A new mother is preparing to take her baby home. During their conversation, she
curiously asks Nurse Rachel about the timeline for the closure of her baby’s “soft
spots”. Rachel explains to the mother that the anterior fontanel, one of the infant’s
‘soft spots,’ usually seals by what age range?
A. Between 2 to 3 months of age.
B. Approximately at 6 to 8 months of age.
C. Around the age of 12 to 18 months.
D. Typically between 20 to 24 months of age.
3. Nurse Alex is performing a physical assessment of a term neonate, while the baby’s
mother watches with interest. Alex then proceeds to examine the baby’s feet, sharing
some key details about the typical appearance of sole creases in a newborn. Alex tells
the mother that in a term neonate, the creases on the soles of the feet are…?
A. Dispersed uniformly over the entirety of the foot.
B. Exclusively visible beneath the heels.
C. Detected solely near the transverse arch of the foot.
D. Not present near the heel area.
4. While examining a newborn’s eyes, Nurse Jake observes several characteristics: no
tear production, different sized corneas, pupils constricting in response to bright light,
and red circles visible on the pupils during an ophthalmic examination. Which one of
these observations made by Nurse Jake would call for additional investigation?
,A. Pupil constriction in response to bright light.
B. The presence of red circles on the pupils.
C. The disparity in the sizes of the corneas.
D. Lack of tear production.
5. Nurse Lisa has been discussing the neonate’s positive Babinski reflex with the
mother. She gauges the mother’s understanding of this reflex based on the mother’s
response. Lisa concludes that the mother correctly understands the implications of a
positive Babinski reflex when she says it signifies?
A. A potential defect in the lower spinal cord.
B. Immature coordination of muscles.
C. Potential damage to the nerves that supply the feet.
D. An immature central nervous system.
6. Nurse Mark is set to conduct a physical assessment of a 24-hour-old male neonate,
who was born through vaginal delivery. He needs to carefully plan the timing of this
assessment. When should Mark ideally plan to assess the physical condition of the
neonate?
A. Right after the baby has been fed.
B. Just before feeding the baby.
C. After ensuring the baby has been NPO (nothing by mouth) for three hours.
D. In between the baby’s feeding times.
7. Nurse Jacob is performing an assessment of a 24-hour-old male neonate, who was
delivered vaginally. He notices a particular swelling on the neonate’s scalp that is soft,
puffy, and does not cross the suture lines. He knows that this swelling is likely to
resolve on its own over time. How should Nurse Jacob correctly document this type of
swelling observed on the neonate’s scalp that does not cross the suture lines?
A. As perinatal caput.
B. As caput succedaneum.
C. As cephalic hematoma.
D. As hemorrhage edema.
8. As part of a routine assessment, Nurse Amelia measures the head and chest
circumference of the neonate. Afterwards, she explains to the baby’s mother about the
typical comparison between these two measurements in neonates. Amelia
communicates to the mother that, when compared, the neonate’s head is generally?
,A. Approximately 4 centimeters larger in circumference than the chest.
B. Roughly 2 centimeters smaller in circumference than the chest.
C. Around 2 centimeters larger in circumference than the chest.
D. Essentially the same size in circumference as the chest.
9. After a conversation with a new mother about cranial molding in neonates, Nurse
Anna must evaluate the mother’s understanding. She listens carefully to the mother’s
statements to determine if further explanation is necessary. Which of the following
statements from the mother indicates to Nurse Anna that further instructions regarding
cranial molding are required?
A. “The molding occurs due to the cranial bones overlapping each other.”
B. “The molding will fade away within a few days.”
C. “The fontanels could be damaged if the molding doesn’t resolve quickly.”
D. “The extent of the molding is proportional to the amount of pressure exerted on the
head.”
10. Nurse Ethan is discussing the importance of sensory and visual stimulation with a
new mother. During the conversation, he plans to share information about which sense
is most developed in a neonate. Ethan informs the mother that the most highly
developed sense in a neonate is?
A. Smell
B. Hearing
C. Touch
D. Taste
11. Nurse Zoe is consulting with a mother who has brought her 4-month-old baby to
the clinic. The mother is curious about the right time to transition her baby from
breastfeeding to using a cup. Nurse Zoe plans to guide her based on signs of the
infant’s readiness to be weaned. Zoe advises the mother that the infant will exhibit
readiness to be weaned from breastfeeding when the infant starts?
A. Adhering to a regular eating schedule.
B. Spending less time nursing.
C. Sleeping throughout the night without interruptions.
D. Accepting solid foods without difficulties.
12. Nurse Laura is advising a mother whose infant, after breastfeeding, refuses to eat
the foods recommended by the physician. Laura needs to provide an effective
, suggestion for modifying the feeding plan. What suggestion should Nurse Laura offer
the mother to successfully alter the infant’s feeding routine?
A. Continue providing breast milk as long as the infant refuses to eat solid food.
B. Combine minced food with cow’s milk and feed it to the infant using a nipple with
a large hole.
C. First offer a dessert, followed by vegetables and meat.
D. Let the infant breastfeed for a few minutes, then introduce solid food.
13. Nurse Liam is conducting a routine developmental assessment of a 4-month-old
infant. He is evaluating the baby’s progress in mastering certain physical and
emotional skills at this stage of development. Which of the following abilities would
Nurse Liam anticipate a 4-month-old infant to possess?
A. Able to sit up without support.
B. Rolls from belly to back.
C. Walks while holding onto furniture.
D. Speaks in two-word sentences.
14. Nurse Emily is preparing to administer the Denver Developmental Screening Test
(DDST) to a five-month-old infant. She aims to clarify the purpose of this test to the
baby’s mother. What should Nurse Emily communicate to the mother about what the
DDST assesses in an infant?
A. Emotional developmental progress.
B. Susceptibility to genetic and allergic conditions.
C. Intelligence quotient.
D. Progress in social and physical activities.
15. Nurse Emma is having a conversation with the mother of a seven-month-old infant
about the baby’s motor skills development. She explains what the infant should
typically be able to do at this stage. Emma clarifies that by the age of seven months,
an infant is likely able to…?
A. Sit unassisted, using hands for balance.
B. Walk with assistance.
C. Stand while grasping onto furniture.
D. Feed themselves using a spoon.
16. Nurse Alex is assessing a one-month-old infant who has been brought to the clinic
for a check-up. He’s evaluating the baby’s progress against standard developmental
