MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING CJE (COMPREHENSIVE JOINT
EXAMINATION) PREP: 300 VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RANDOMIZED ABCD OPTIONS, RATIONALE, AND
PRIORITIZED NEWBORN CARE SCENARIOS
1. What is the priority nursing intervention immediately following the
birth of a newborn?
A. Administer the Hepatitis B vaccine.
B. Perform a complete physical assessment.
C. Ensure a patent airway and support respirations.
D. Place erythromycin ointment in the eyes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) are always the
priority. While other tasks are important, establishing a clear airway is
the immediate life-saving measure.
2. A newborn has a heart rate of 120 bpm, is crying vigorously, has
good muscle tone, and is actively moving. What is the APGAR score
for this newborn?
A. 9
B. 8
C. 10
D. 7
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heart rate >100 (2 points), strong cry/irritability (2 points),
,good muscle tone (2 points), pink color (2 points), and active respiratory
effort (2 points) equals a score of 10.
3. To prevent Ophthalmia Neonatorum, the nurse should administer
erythromycin ointment within what timeframe after birth?
A. Within 3 hours of life
B. Within the first hour or two of life
C. Within 30 minutes of life
D. Immediately upon delivery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to standard protocols, prophylactic ocular
ointment must be administered within one to two hours of birth to
prevent infection from maternal gonorrhea or chlamydia.
4. During the first cry of a newborn, what physiological event takes
place?
A. The ductus arteriosus fully closes.
B. The first breath begins the expansion of the lungs and shift in
circulation.
C. The baby begins to take their first feeding.
D. The umbilical cord stops pulsing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first cry is the initial sign of the newborn taking its first
breath. This expands the lungs, increases oxygen levels, and triggers a
shift from fetal to neonatal circulation.
5. Which intervention is the best first step for preventing neonatal
hypothermia?
A. Using a radiant warmer immediately.
B. Drying the baby thoroughly.
,C. Placing a hat on the newborn.
D. Swaddling the newborn in a blanket.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drying the newborn removes amniotic fluid which
evaporates and causes rapid heat loss. This is the primary and
immediate step in thermoregulation.
6. When should the APGAR assessment be performed on a newborn?
A. At 2 and 10 minutes of life.
B. At 5 and 10 minutes of life.
C. At 1 and 5 minutes of life.
D. At 3 and 8 minutes of life.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The APGAR score is standardly evaluated at 1 minute and 5
minutes after birth to assess the newborn’s adaptation to extrauterine
life.
7. A newborn receives an APGAR score of 3. What is the appropriate
nursing action?
A. Continue routine newborn care.
B. Administer oxygen by nasal cannula.
C. Provide immediate resuscitation.
D. Increase the temperature of the warmer.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An APGAR score of 0-3 indicates severe distress. Immediate
resuscitation measures, including positive pressure ventilation and
chest compressions if needed, are required.
8. What is a primary purpose of placing a newborn skin-to-skin with
the mother immediately after birth?
, A. To allow the mother to inspect the baby's genitals.
B. To facilitate thermoregulation and establish breastfeeding.
C. To allow the baby to sleep without interruption.
D. To prevent the baby from crying for the first hour.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Skin-to-skin contact stabilizes the baby's temperature, heart
rate, and blood sugar, while also facilitating early breastfeeding and
maternal-infant bonding.
9. What is the normal resting heart rate for a newborn?
A. 80-100 bpm
B. 100-120 bpm
C. 110-140 bpm
D. 140-180 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A normal newborn resting heart rate is between 110 and 140
beats per minute.
10. Why is the newborn's mouth suctioned before the nose?
A. To clear the airway for the first breath.
B. To stimulate a cry.
C. To prevent aspiration of mucus or amniotic fluid into the lungs.
D. To prevent infection of the nose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning the mouth first prevents the baby from inhaling
mucus or amniotic fluid into their lungs if they gasp when the nasal
suction is started.
11. What is the purpose of double clamping the umbilical cord?
A. To reduce blood flow to the baby.
EXAMINATION) PREP: 300 VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RANDOMIZED ABCD OPTIONS, RATIONALE, AND
PRIORITIZED NEWBORN CARE SCENARIOS
1. What is the priority nursing intervention immediately following the
birth of a newborn?
A. Administer the Hepatitis B vaccine.
B. Perform a complete physical assessment.
C. Ensure a patent airway and support respirations.
D. Place erythromycin ointment in the eyes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) are always the
priority. While other tasks are important, establishing a clear airway is
the immediate life-saving measure.
2. A newborn has a heart rate of 120 bpm, is crying vigorously, has
good muscle tone, and is actively moving. What is the APGAR score
for this newborn?
A. 9
B. 8
C. 10
D. 7
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heart rate >100 (2 points), strong cry/irritability (2 points),
,good muscle tone (2 points), pink color (2 points), and active respiratory
effort (2 points) equals a score of 10.
3. To prevent Ophthalmia Neonatorum, the nurse should administer
erythromycin ointment within what timeframe after birth?
A. Within 3 hours of life
B. Within the first hour or two of life
C. Within 30 minutes of life
D. Immediately upon delivery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to standard protocols, prophylactic ocular
ointment must be administered within one to two hours of birth to
prevent infection from maternal gonorrhea or chlamydia.
4. During the first cry of a newborn, what physiological event takes
place?
A. The ductus arteriosus fully closes.
B. The first breath begins the expansion of the lungs and shift in
circulation.
C. The baby begins to take their first feeding.
D. The umbilical cord stops pulsing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first cry is the initial sign of the newborn taking its first
breath. This expands the lungs, increases oxygen levels, and triggers a
shift from fetal to neonatal circulation.
5. Which intervention is the best first step for preventing neonatal
hypothermia?
A. Using a radiant warmer immediately.
B. Drying the baby thoroughly.
,C. Placing a hat on the newborn.
D. Swaddling the newborn in a blanket.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drying the newborn removes amniotic fluid which
evaporates and causes rapid heat loss. This is the primary and
immediate step in thermoregulation.
6. When should the APGAR assessment be performed on a newborn?
A. At 2 and 10 minutes of life.
B. At 5 and 10 minutes of life.
C. At 1 and 5 minutes of life.
D. At 3 and 8 minutes of life.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The APGAR score is standardly evaluated at 1 minute and 5
minutes after birth to assess the newborn’s adaptation to extrauterine
life.
7. A newborn receives an APGAR score of 3. What is the appropriate
nursing action?
A. Continue routine newborn care.
B. Administer oxygen by nasal cannula.
C. Provide immediate resuscitation.
D. Increase the temperature of the warmer.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An APGAR score of 0-3 indicates severe distress. Immediate
resuscitation measures, including positive pressure ventilation and
chest compressions if needed, are required.
8. What is a primary purpose of placing a newborn skin-to-skin with
the mother immediately after birth?
, A. To allow the mother to inspect the baby's genitals.
B. To facilitate thermoregulation and establish breastfeeding.
C. To allow the baby to sleep without interruption.
D. To prevent the baby from crying for the first hour.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Skin-to-skin contact stabilizes the baby's temperature, heart
rate, and blood sugar, while also facilitating early breastfeeding and
maternal-infant bonding.
9. What is the normal resting heart rate for a newborn?
A. 80-100 bpm
B. 100-120 bpm
C. 110-140 bpm
D. 140-180 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A normal newborn resting heart rate is between 110 and 140
beats per minute.
10. Why is the newborn's mouth suctioned before the nose?
A. To clear the airway for the first breath.
B. To stimulate a cry.
C. To prevent aspiration of mucus or amniotic fluid into the lungs.
D. To prevent infection of the nose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning the mouth first prevents the baby from inhaling
mucus or amniotic fluid into their lungs if they gasp when the nasal
suction is started.
11. What is the purpose of double clamping the umbilical cord?
A. To reduce blood flow to the baby.
