MATERNAL CHILD NURSING 5TH EDITION
2026 NEONATAL CARE INFANT
ASSESSMENT AND NEWBORN
COMPLICATIONS REVIEW PACKAGE
◉ The transition period between intrauterine and extrauterine
existence for the newborn:
a. Consists of four phases, two reactive and two of decreased
responses.
b. Lasts from birth to day 28 of life.
c. Applies to full-term births only.
d. Varies by socioeconomic status and the mother's age.
Answer: ANS: B
Changes begin right after birth; the cutoff time when the transition
is considered over (although the baby keeps changing) is 28 days.
The transition period has three phases: first reactivity, decreased
response, and second reactivity. All newborns experience this
transition regardless of age or type of birth. Although stress can
cause variation in the phases, the mother's age and wealth do not
disturb the pattern.
◉ All of these statements describe the first phase of the transition
period except:
, a. It lasts no longer than 30 minutes.
b. It is marked by spontaneous tremors, crying, and head
movements.
c. It includes the passage of meconium.
d. It may involve the infant suddenly sleeping briefly.
Answer: ANS: D
The first phase is an active phase in which the baby is alert.
Decreased activity and sleep mark the second phase. The first phase
is the shortest, lasting less than 30 minutes. Such exploratory
behaviors include spontaneous startle reactions. In the first phase
the newborn also produces saliva.
◉ With regard to the respiratory development of the newborn,
nurses should be aware that:
a. The first gasping breath is an exaggerated respiratory reaction
within 1 minute of birth.
b. Newborns must expel the fluid from the respiratory system within
a few minutes of birth.
c. Newborns are instinctive mouth breathers.
d. Seesaw respirations are no cause for concern in the first hour
after birth.
Answer: ANS: A
The first breath produces a cry. Newborns continue to expel fluid for
the first hour of life. Newborns are natural nose breathers; they may
not have the mouth-breathing response to nasal blockage for 3
2026 NEONATAL CARE INFANT
ASSESSMENT AND NEWBORN
COMPLICATIONS REVIEW PACKAGE
◉ The transition period between intrauterine and extrauterine
existence for the newborn:
a. Consists of four phases, two reactive and two of decreased
responses.
b. Lasts from birth to day 28 of life.
c. Applies to full-term births only.
d. Varies by socioeconomic status and the mother's age.
Answer: ANS: B
Changes begin right after birth; the cutoff time when the transition
is considered over (although the baby keeps changing) is 28 days.
The transition period has three phases: first reactivity, decreased
response, and second reactivity. All newborns experience this
transition regardless of age or type of birth. Although stress can
cause variation in the phases, the mother's age and wealth do not
disturb the pattern.
◉ All of these statements describe the first phase of the transition
period except:
, a. It lasts no longer than 30 minutes.
b. It is marked by spontaneous tremors, crying, and head
movements.
c. It includes the passage of meconium.
d. It may involve the infant suddenly sleeping briefly.
Answer: ANS: D
The first phase is an active phase in which the baby is alert.
Decreased activity and sleep mark the second phase. The first phase
is the shortest, lasting less than 30 minutes. Such exploratory
behaviors include spontaneous startle reactions. In the first phase
the newborn also produces saliva.
◉ With regard to the respiratory development of the newborn,
nurses should be aware that:
a. The first gasping breath is an exaggerated respiratory reaction
within 1 minute of birth.
b. Newborns must expel the fluid from the respiratory system within
a few minutes of birth.
c. Newborns are instinctive mouth breathers.
d. Seesaw respirations are no cause for concern in the first hour
after birth.
Answer: ANS: A
The first breath produces a cry. Newborns continue to expel fluid for
the first hour of life. Newborns are natural nose breathers; they may
not have the mouth-breathing response to nasal blockage for 3
