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TAPPERO & HONEYFIELD'S PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF
THE NEWBORN (7TH EDITION) COMPLETE REVIEW WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Tappero & Honeyfield's Physical Assessment of the Newborn (7th Edition) —Exam
Original Practice Questions — Physical Assessment of the Newborn (7th Edition)
Chapter 1: Principles of Physical Assessment (Questions 1–20)
1. During the initial newborn assessment, which action should the nurse perform first?
A) Measure head circumference
B) Administer vitamin K
C) Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D) Obtain footprints
Answer: C — Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Immediate assessment focuses on the newborn's cardiopulmonary stability. The
ABCs are the priority before any other assessment or intervention .
2. A healthy full-term newborn's normal heart rate is:
A) 60–100 bpm
B) 80–120 bpm
C) 110–160 bpm
D) 170–220 bpm
Answer: C — 110–160 bpm
Rationale: Normal neonatal heart rates typically range from 110 to 160 beats per minute .
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3. Standard Apgar assessments occur at which time intervals after birth?
A) 30 and 60 minutes
B) 2 and 4 minutes
C) 1 and 5 minutes
D) 10 and 20 minutes
Answer: C — 1 and 5 minutes
Rationale: Standard Apgar assessments occur at 1 and 5 minutes after birth .
4. Which finding is expected in a healthy newborn?
A) Central cyanosis lasting 24 hours
B) Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
C) Absent reflexes
D) Persistent apnea
Answer: B — Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
Rationale: Acrocyanosis (bluish discoloration of extremities) is a normal finding in the first hours
after birth .
5. The newborn's anterior fontanel should normally feel:
A) Rigid and elevated
B) Completely closed
C) Soft and flat
D) Depressed and sunken
Answer: C — Soft and flat
Rationale: A soft, flat fontanel indicates normal hydration and intracranial pressure .
6. Which reflex is assessed by stroking the newborn's cheek?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Babinski reflex
D) Tonic neck reflex
Answer: B — Rooting reflex
Rationale: The rooting reflex is elicited by touching the newborn's cheek, causing them to turn
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their head toward the stimulus. It is a survival mechanism that helps the newborn find the
breast or bottle .
7. Which temperature is normal for a newborn?
A) 95.5°F (35.3°C)
B) 96.0°F (35.6°C)
C) 98.6°F (37°C)
D) 101.5°F (38.6°C)
Answer: C — 98.6°F (37°C)
Rationale: Newborn temperatures generally range from 97.7°F–99.5°F .
8. The purpose of vitamin K administration is to prevent:
A) Infection
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
D) Jaundice
Answer: C — Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
Rationale: Newborns lack the intestinal bacteria required to synthesize Vitamin K, which is
essential for blood clotting. Vitamin K supports blood clotting factor production .
9. Which reflex disappears around 4 months of age?
A) Blink reflex
B) Moro reflex
C) Cough reflex
D) Gag reflex
Answer: B — Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro reflex normally disappears by 4–6 months .
10. A newborn's chest circumference is usually:
A) Larger than head circumference
B) Slightly smaller than head circumference
C) Exactly equal to head circumference
D) Twice the head circumference
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Answer: B — Slightly smaller than head circumference
Rationale: Head circumference is normally 1–2 cm larger than chest circumference .
11. The nurse notes a soft systolic murmur immediately after birth. The priority action is:
A) Prepare for surgery
B) Call a rapid response
C) Continue monitoring and assessment
D) Restrict feedings
Answer: C — Continue monitoring and assessment
Rationale: Transitional murmurs are common in newborns as the ductus arteriosus closes and
pulmonary vascular resistance drops .
12. Which finding is associated with neonatal jaundice?
A) Blue sclera
B) Yellow discoloration of skin and sclera
C) Pale skin
D) Cyanotic lips
Answer: B — Yellow discoloration of skin and sclera
Rationale: Jaundice results from elevated bilirubin levels (hyperbilirubinemia), causing yellow
discoloration of skin and sclera .
13. The newborn's skin may normally exhibit:
A) Extensive bruising
B) Open lesions
C) Milia
D) Deep ulcerations
Answer: C — Milia
Rationale: Milia are common benign white papules that appear on the newborn's face .
14. Which cranial assessment finding is normal?
A) Bulging fontanel at rest
B) Slight molding of the skull
TAPPERO & HONEYFIELD'S PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF
THE NEWBORN (7TH EDITION) COMPLETE REVIEW WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Tappero & Honeyfield's Physical Assessment of the Newborn (7th Edition) —Exam
Original Practice Questions — Physical Assessment of the Newborn (7th Edition)
Chapter 1: Principles of Physical Assessment (Questions 1–20)
1. During the initial newborn assessment, which action should the nurse perform first?
A) Measure head circumference
B) Administer vitamin K
C) Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D) Obtain footprints
Answer: C — Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Immediate assessment focuses on the newborn's cardiopulmonary stability. The
ABCs are the priority before any other assessment or intervention .
2. A healthy full-term newborn's normal heart rate is:
A) 60–100 bpm
B) 80–120 bpm
C) 110–160 bpm
D) 170–220 bpm
Answer: C — 110–160 bpm
Rationale: Normal neonatal heart rates typically range from 110 to 160 beats per minute .
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3. Standard Apgar assessments occur at which time intervals after birth?
A) 30 and 60 minutes
B) 2 and 4 minutes
C) 1 and 5 minutes
D) 10 and 20 minutes
Answer: C — 1 and 5 minutes
Rationale: Standard Apgar assessments occur at 1 and 5 minutes after birth .
4. Which finding is expected in a healthy newborn?
A) Central cyanosis lasting 24 hours
B) Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
C) Absent reflexes
D) Persistent apnea
Answer: B — Acrocyanosis of hands and feet
Rationale: Acrocyanosis (bluish discoloration of extremities) is a normal finding in the first hours
after birth .
5. The newborn's anterior fontanel should normally feel:
A) Rigid and elevated
B) Completely closed
C) Soft and flat
D) Depressed and sunken
Answer: C — Soft and flat
Rationale: A soft, flat fontanel indicates normal hydration and intracranial pressure .
6. Which reflex is assessed by stroking the newborn's cheek?
A) Moro reflex
B) Rooting reflex
C) Babinski reflex
D) Tonic neck reflex
Answer: B — Rooting reflex
Rationale: The rooting reflex is elicited by touching the newborn's cheek, causing them to turn
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their head toward the stimulus. It is a survival mechanism that helps the newborn find the
breast or bottle .
7. Which temperature is normal for a newborn?
A) 95.5°F (35.3°C)
B) 96.0°F (35.6°C)
C) 98.6°F (37°C)
D) 101.5°F (38.6°C)
Answer: C — 98.6°F (37°C)
Rationale: Newborn temperatures generally range from 97.7°F–99.5°F .
8. The purpose of vitamin K administration is to prevent:
A) Infection
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
D) Jaundice
Answer: C — Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
Rationale: Newborns lack the intestinal bacteria required to synthesize Vitamin K, which is
essential for blood clotting. Vitamin K supports blood clotting factor production .
9. Which reflex disappears around 4 months of age?
A) Blink reflex
B) Moro reflex
C) Cough reflex
D) Gag reflex
Answer: B — Moro reflex
Rationale: The Moro reflex normally disappears by 4–6 months .
10. A newborn's chest circumference is usually:
A) Larger than head circumference
B) Slightly smaller than head circumference
C) Exactly equal to head circumference
D) Twice the head circumference
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Answer: B — Slightly smaller than head circumference
Rationale: Head circumference is normally 1–2 cm larger than chest circumference .
11. The nurse notes a soft systolic murmur immediately after birth. The priority action is:
A) Prepare for surgery
B) Call a rapid response
C) Continue monitoring and assessment
D) Restrict feedings
Answer: C — Continue monitoring and assessment
Rationale: Transitional murmurs are common in newborns as the ductus arteriosus closes and
pulmonary vascular resistance drops .
12. Which finding is associated with neonatal jaundice?
A) Blue sclera
B) Yellow discoloration of skin and sclera
C) Pale skin
D) Cyanotic lips
Answer: B — Yellow discoloration of skin and sclera
Rationale: Jaundice results from elevated bilirubin levels (hyperbilirubinemia), causing yellow
discoloration of skin and sclera .
13. The newborn's skin may normally exhibit:
A) Extensive bruising
B) Open lesions
C) Milia
D) Deep ulcerations
Answer: C — Milia
Rationale: Milia are common benign white papules that appear on the newborn's face .
14. Which cranial assessment finding is normal?
A) Bulging fontanel at rest
B) Slight molding of the skull
