NSG 3500 Maternal Nursing Exam 4 —
Practice Exam100 Original Questions with Answers & Rationales |
2026/2027 Study Version
Note: These are original practice questions, not copied from or represented as actual Galen
College exam questions.
Questions 1–25: Newborn Transition & Assessment
1.
A nurse assesses a newborn immediately after birth. Which finding requires the most immediate
nursing intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate of 68/min with grunting
C. Heart rate of 142/min
D. Vernix on the skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea accompanied by grunting suggests respiratory distress. Acrocyanosis is
common during normal transition, and the other findings are expected.
2.
The nurse calculates an APGAR score of 8 at 1 minute. Which interpretation is correct?
A. Severe neonatal depression
B. Moderate neonatal depression
C. Generally good adaptation
D. Immediate resuscitation is required
Answer: C
,Rationale: An APGAR score of 7–10 generally indicates that the newborn is adapting well.
APGAR evaluates appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respirations.
3.
Which APGAR component is represented by a newborn who actively moves all extremities?
A. Appearance
B. Pulse
C. Grimace
D. Activity
Answer: D
Rationale: Activity refers to muscle tone. Active movement and flexion receive the highest
score.
4.
A newborn has a heart rate of 90/min immediately after delivery. What should the nurse do first?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Assess respirations and provide appropriate resuscitative support
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Give oral glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: A heart rate below 100/min in a newborn requires assessment and respiratory support
according to neonatal resuscitation principles.
5.
Which intervention best prevents heat loss in a stable newborn immediately after birth?
A. Place the newborn under a fan
B. Bathe the newborn immediately
C. Dry the newborn and provide skin-to-skin contact
D. Leave the newborn uncovered for assessment
,Answer: C
Rationale: Drying removes evaporative heat loss, while skin-to-skin contact promotes
thermoregulation.
6.
The nurse identifies which mechanism of newborn heat loss when the infant is placed on a cold
weighing scale?
A. Convection
B. Conduction
C. Radiation
D. Evaporation
Answer: B
Rationale: Conduction occurs when heat transfers directly between the newborn and a cooler
surface.
7.
Which finding is most consistent with normal newborn respiratory adaptation?
A. Persistent grunting
B. Nasal flaring
C. Respiratory rate of 40/min
D. Central cyanosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of approximately 30–60/min is expected in a newborn. Persistent
grunting, flaring, and central cyanosis require evaluation.
8.
A newborn develops bluish hands and feet shortly after birth while the lips and trunk remain
pink. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
, A. Central cyanosis
B. Acrocyanosis
C. Respiratory failure
D. Congenital heart disease
Answer: B
Rationale: Acrocyanosis is common during the first hours after birth as peripheral circulation
adapts.
9.
Which newborn finding should the nurse report promptly?
A. Sneezing
B. Acrocyanosis shortly after birth
C. Central cyanosis
D. Irregular respirations without distress
Answer: C
Rationale: Central cyanosis involving the lips and tongue may indicate inadequate oxygenation
and requires prompt assessment.
10.
The nurse observes periodic breathing in a newborn. Which statement is most accurate?
A. It always indicates respiratory failure.
B. It can occur as a normal newborn respiratory pattern.
C. It indicates pneumonia.
D. It requires immediate intubation.
Answer: B
Rationale: Periodic breathing consists of brief pauses followed by respirations and can be
normal in newborns if there are no signs of distress.
11.
Practice Exam100 Original Questions with Answers & Rationales |
2026/2027 Study Version
Note: These are original practice questions, not copied from or represented as actual Galen
College exam questions.
Questions 1–25: Newborn Transition & Assessment
1.
A nurse assesses a newborn immediately after birth. Which finding requires the most immediate
nursing intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate of 68/min with grunting
C. Heart rate of 142/min
D. Vernix on the skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea accompanied by grunting suggests respiratory distress. Acrocyanosis is
common during normal transition, and the other findings are expected.
2.
The nurse calculates an APGAR score of 8 at 1 minute. Which interpretation is correct?
A. Severe neonatal depression
B. Moderate neonatal depression
C. Generally good adaptation
D. Immediate resuscitation is required
Answer: C
,Rationale: An APGAR score of 7–10 generally indicates that the newborn is adapting well.
APGAR evaluates appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respirations.
3.
Which APGAR component is represented by a newborn who actively moves all extremities?
A. Appearance
B. Pulse
C. Grimace
D. Activity
Answer: D
Rationale: Activity refers to muscle tone. Active movement and flexion receive the highest
score.
4.
A newborn has a heart rate of 90/min immediately after delivery. What should the nurse do first?
A. Begin chest compressions immediately
B. Assess respirations and provide appropriate resuscitative support
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Give oral glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: A heart rate below 100/min in a newborn requires assessment and respiratory support
according to neonatal resuscitation principles.
5.
Which intervention best prevents heat loss in a stable newborn immediately after birth?
A. Place the newborn under a fan
B. Bathe the newborn immediately
C. Dry the newborn and provide skin-to-skin contact
D. Leave the newborn uncovered for assessment
,Answer: C
Rationale: Drying removes evaporative heat loss, while skin-to-skin contact promotes
thermoregulation.
6.
The nurse identifies which mechanism of newborn heat loss when the infant is placed on a cold
weighing scale?
A. Convection
B. Conduction
C. Radiation
D. Evaporation
Answer: B
Rationale: Conduction occurs when heat transfers directly between the newborn and a cooler
surface.
7.
Which finding is most consistent with normal newborn respiratory adaptation?
A. Persistent grunting
B. Nasal flaring
C. Respiratory rate of 40/min
D. Central cyanosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of approximately 30–60/min is expected in a newborn. Persistent
grunting, flaring, and central cyanosis require evaluation.
8.
A newborn develops bluish hands and feet shortly after birth while the lips and trunk remain
pink. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
, A. Central cyanosis
B. Acrocyanosis
C. Respiratory failure
D. Congenital heart disease
Answer: B
Rationale: Acrocyanosis is common during the first hours after birth as peripheral circulation
adapts.
9.
Which newborn finding should the nurse report promptly?
A. Sneezing
B. Acrocyanosis shortly after birth
C. Central cyanosis
D. Irregular respirations without distress
Answer: C
Rationale: Central cyanosis involving the lips and tongue may indicate inadequate oxygenation
and requires prompt assessment.
10.
The nurse observes periodic breathing in a newborn. Which statement is most accurate?
A. It always indicates respiratory failure.
B. It can occur as a normal newborn respiratory pattern.
C. It indicates pneumonia.
D. It requires immediate intubation.
Answer: B
Rationale: Periodic breathing consists of brief pauses followed by respirations and can be
normal in newborns if there are no signs of distress.
11.
