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ATI Neonatal Nursing Practice Exam Preparation
With Complete Questions And Correct Answers With
Rationales Already Graded A+ Brand New Version!!
Question 1
A nurse is testing the reflexes of a newborn to assess neurologic
maturity. What reflex is the nurse assessing when she quickly and
gently turns the newborn's head to one side?
A. Moro
B. Babinski
C. Rooting
D. Tonic neck
Answer: D. Tonic neck
Rationale: To elicit the tonic neck reflex, the nurse should quickly and
gently turn the newborn's head to one side when he is sleeping or falling
asleep. The newborn's arm and leg should extend outward to the same
side that the nurse turned his head while the opposite arm and leg flex.
This reflex persists for about 3 to 4 months. The Moro reflex is elicited
by a sudden change in position or a loud noise; the Babinski reflex
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involves stroking the sole of the foot; and the rooting reflex is elicited by
stroking the cheek or corner of the mouth.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a newborn who was born at 39 weeks gestation.
What finding should the nurse expect?
A. Symmetric rib cage
B. Lanugo abundant on the back
C. Dry, wrinkled skin
D. Vernix over the entire body
Answer: A. Symmetric rib cage
Rationale: A newborn who is born at 39 weeks of gestation is full-term
and should have normal, smooth skin with good turgor and the
presence of subcutaneous fat pockets. A symmetric rib cage is an
expected finding in a full-term newborn. A postmature newborn,
greater than 42 weeks of gestation, will have dry, cracked skin with a
wrinkled appearance. Lanugo abundant on the back is more typical of
preterm infants, and vernix over the entire body is also more common in
preterm or early-term infants.
Question 3
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A nurse is assessing a 2-day-old newborn and notes an egg-shaped,
edematous, bluish discoloration that does not cross the suture line.
What information should the nurse provide to the mother when she
inquires about the finding?
A. This will resolve within 3-6 weeks without treatment
B. This will resolve on its own within 3-4 days
C. This is expected at birth so you don't need to worry about it
D. The provider might drain this area with a syringe
Answer: A. This will resolve within 3-6 weeks without treatment
Rationale: The finding described is a cephalohematoma, which is a
collection of blood between the periosteum and the skull bone. It does
not cross the suture line and typically resolves within 3 to 6 weeks
without treatment. Caput succedaneum, by contrast, crosses suture
lines and resolves within 3 to 4 days. Cephalohematomas should not be
drained due to the risk of infection.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client who is postpartum following a vacuum-
assisted birth. For what finding should the nurse monitor to identify a
cervical laceration?
A. A gush of rubra lochia when the nurse massages the uterus
B. Continuous lochia flow and flaccid uterus
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C. Slow trickle of bright vaginal bleeding and a firm fundus
D. Report of increasing pain and pressure in the perineal area
Answer: C. Slow trickle of bright vaginal bleeding and a firm fundus
Rationale: The nurse should monitor for bright red bleeding as a slow
trickle, oozing, or outright bleeding, along with a firm fundus, to identify
a cervical laceration. A firm fundus indicates that uterine atony is not
the cause of bleeding; instead, the bleeding is likely from lacerations in
the birth canal. A gush of lochia with uterine massage or a flaccid uterus
would suggest uterine atony rather than laceration.
Question 5
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postpartum and has cardiac
disease. For what prescription should the nurse seek clarification?
A. Initiate bedrest with head of bed elevated
B. Initiate high-fiber diet for client
C. Monitor client's weight weekly
D. Monitor client's intake and output
Answer: C. Monitor client's weight weekly
ATI Neonatal Nursing Practice Exam Preparation
With Complete Questions And Correct Answers With
Rationales Already Graded A+ Brand New Version!!
Question 1
A nurse is testing the reflexes of a newborn to assess neurologic
maturity. What reflex is the nurse assessing when she quickly and
gently turns the newborn's head to one side?
A. Moro
B. Babinski
C. Rooting
D. Tonic neck
Answer: D. Tonic neck
Rationale: To elicit the tonic neck reflex, the nurse should quickly and
gently turn the newborn's head to one side when he is sleeping or falling
asleep. The newborn's arm and leg should extend outward to the same
side that the nurse turned his head while the opposite arm and leg flex.
This reflex persists for about 3 to 4 months. The Moro reflex is elicited
by a sudden change in position or a loud noise; the Babinski reflex
,2|Page
involves stroking the sole of the foot; and the rooting reflex is elicited by
stroking the cheek or corner of the mouth.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a newborn who was born at 39 weeks gestation.
What finding should the nurse expect?
A. Symmetric rib cage
B. Lanugo abundant on the back
C. Dry, wrinkled skin
D. Vernix over the entire body
Answer: A. Symmetric rib cage
Rationale: A newborn who is born at 39 weeks of gestation is full-term
and should have normal, smooth skin with good turgor and the
presence of subcutaneous fat pockets. A symmetric rib cage is an
expected finding in a full-term newborn. A postmature newborn,
greater than 42 weeks of gestation, will have dry, cracked skin with a
wrinkled appearance. Lanugo abundant on the back is more typical of
preterm infants, and vernix over the entire body is also more common in
preterm or early-term infants.
Question 3
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A nurse is assessing a 2-day-old newborn and notes an egg-shaped,
edematous, bluish discoloration that does not cross the suture line.
What information should the nurse provide to the mother when she
inquires about the finding?
A. This will resolve within 3-6 weeks without treatment
B. This will resolve on its own within 3-4 days
C. This is expected at birth so you don't need to worry about it
D. The provider might drain this area with a syringe
Answer: A. This will resolve within 3-6 weeks without treatment
Rationale: The finding described is a cephalohematoma, which is a
collection of blood between the periosteum and the skull bone. It does
not cross the suture line and typically resolves within 3 to 6 weeks
without treatment. Caput succedaneum, by contrast, crosses suture
lines and resolves within 3 to 4 days. Cephalohematomas should not be
drained due to the risk of infection.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client who is postpartum following a vacuum-
assisted birth. For what finding should the nurse monitor to identify a
cervical laceration?
A. A gush of rubra lochia when the nurse massages the uterus
B. Continuous lochia flow and flaccid uterus
, 4|Page
C. Slow trickle of bright vaginal bleeding and a firm fundus
D. Report of increasing pain and pressure in the perineal area
Answer: C. Slow trickle of bright vaginal bleeding and a firm fundus
Rationale: The nurse should monitor for bright red bleeding as a slow
trickle, oozing, or outright bleeding, along with a firm fundus, to identify
a cervical laceration. A firm fundus indicates that uterine atony is not
the cause of bleeding; instead, the bleeding is likely from lacerations in
the birth canal. A gush of lochia with uterine massage or a flaccid uterus
would suggest uterine atony rather than laceration.
Question 5
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postpartum and has cardiac
disease. For what prescription should the nurse seek clarification?
A. Initiate bedrest with head of bed elevated
B. Initiate high-fiber diet for client
C. Monitor client's weight weekly
D. Monitor client's intake and output
Answer: C. Monitor client's weight weekly
