1
NSG 3500 EXAM 4 2026/2027 | NURSING PRACTICE –
MATERNAL HEALTH | 40 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: NEWBORN TRANSITION & INITIAL ASSESSMENT – Questions 1-15
Q1: Chemical Stimulus for First Breath
The nurse is teaching new parents about the factors that stimulate a newborn's first breath. Which
factor is considered a chemical stimulus?
A. The drop in ambient temperature upon delivery
B. Hypoxia, hypercarbia, and acidosis from the clamping of the umbilical cord
C. The thoracic squeeze during a vaginal birth
D. Tactile stimulation from drying the infant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chemical factors are the most critical stimulants for the first breath. Falling oxygen levels
(hypoxia), rising carbon dioxide (hypercarbia), and falling pH (acidosis) stimulate the medullary
respiratory center. The other options represent thermal, mechanical, and sensory factors
respectively .
Q2: Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)
A term newborn delivered by elective cesarean section is at increased risk for transient tachypnea of
the newborn (TTN). The nurse understands this is primarily due to:
A. Immature surfactant production
B. Lack of the mechanical thoracic squeeze during passage through the birth canal
C. Maternal diabetes during pregnancy
D. Meconium aspiration during delivery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During vaginal delivery, the fetal chest is compressed, expelling lung fluid. This "thoracic
squeeze" is absent in cesarean deliveries, leading to delayed clearance of fetal lung fluid and TTN.
Surfactant deficiency causes respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), not TTN .
Q3: Acrocyanosis Assessment
The nurse is assessing a newborn 2 hours after birth. The hands and feet are bluish, but the trunk
and mucous membranes are pink. The nurse documents this finding as:
A. Central cyanosis
B. Acrocyanosis
, 2
C. Mottling
D. Pallor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acrocyanosis is a normal, benign finding in the first hours of life caused by vasomotor
instability and sluggish peripheral circulation. Central cyanosis involves the trunk and mucous
membranes and is always abnormal. No intervention is needed for acrocyanosis .
Q4: Caput Succedaneum
A newborn's head has a soft, edematous swelling that crosses the sagittal suture line. The nurse
identifies this as:
A. Cephalohematoma
B. Caput succedaneum
C. Molding
D. Craniosynostosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Caput succedaneum is soft tissue edema of the scalp that crosses suture lines, caused by
pressure during delivery. It resolves in a few days. Cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal hemorrhage
that does not cross sutures and resolves over weeks .
Q5: Periodic Breathing
The nurse is observing a newborn's respiratory pattern. The newborn has pauses in breathing lasting
10 seconds without any change in heart rate or skin color. This is:
A. Apnea
B. Periodic breathing
C. Respiratory distress
D. Bradypnea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Periodic breathing consists of brief pauses (5-15 seconds) in respiration without cyanosis
or bradycardia. It is a common, benign pattern due to an immature respiratory center. Apnea is a
pause >20 seconds or accompanied by bradycardia/cyanosis and is abnormal .
Q6: Normal Newborn Heart Rate
What is the normal heart rate range for a newborn?
A. 80-100 bpm
B. 100-140 bpm
C. 110-160 bpm
D. 140-180 bpm
NSG 3500 EXAM 4 2026/2027 | NURSING PRACTICE –
MATERNAL HEALTH | 40 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: NEWBORN TRANSITION & INITIAL ASSESSMENT – Questions 1-15
Q1: Chemical Stimulus for First Breath
The nurse is teaching new parents about the factors that stimulate a newborn's first breath. Which
factor is considered a chemical stimulus?
A. The drop in ambient temperature upon delivery
B. Hypoxia, hypercarbia, and acidosis from the clamping of the umbilical cord
C. The thoracic squeeze during a vaginal birth
D. Tactile stimulation from drying the infant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chemical factors are the most critical stimulants for the first breath. Falling oxygen levels
(hypoxia), rising carbon dioxide (hypercarbia), and falling pH (acidosis) stimulate the medullary
respiratory center. The other options represent thermal, mechanical, and sensory factors
respectively .
Q2: Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)
A term newborn delivered by elective cesarean section is at increased risk for transient tachypnea of
the newborn (TTN). The nurse understands this is primarily due to:
A. Immature surfactant production
B. Lack of the mechanical thoracic squeeze during passage through the birth canal
C. Maternal diabetes during pregnancy
D. Meconium aspiration during delivery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During vaginal delivery, the fetal chest is compressed, expelling lung fluid. This "thoracic
squeeze" is absent in cesarean deliveries, leading to delayed clearance of fetal lung fluid and TTN.
Surfactant deficiency causes respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), not TTN .
Q3: Acrocyanosis Assessment
The nurse is assessing a newborn 2 hours after birth. The hands and feet are bluish, but the trunk
and mucous membranes are pink. The nurse documents this finding as:
A. Central cyanosis
B. Acrocyanosis
, 2
C. Mottling
D. Pallor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acrocyanosis is a normal, benign finding in the first hours of life caused by vasomotor
instability and sluggish peripheral circulation. Central cyanosis involves the trunk and mucous
membranes and is always abnormal. No intervention is needed for acrocyanosis .
Q4: Caput Succedaneum
A newborn's head has a soft, edematous swelling that crosses the sagittal suture line. The nurse
identifies this as:
A. Cephalohematoma
B. Caput succedaneum
C. Molding
D. Craniosynostosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Caput succedaneum is soft tissue edema of the scalp that crosses suture lines, caused by
pressure during delivery. It resolves in a few days. Cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal hemorrhage
that does not cross sutures and resolves over weeks .
Q5: Periodic Breathing
The nurse is observing a newborn's respiratory pattern. The newborn has pauses in breathing lasting
10 seconds without any change in heart rate or skin color. This is:
A. Apnea
B. Periodic breathing
C. Respiratory distress
D. Bradypnea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Periodic breathing consists of brief pauses (5-15 seconds) in respiration without cyanosis
or bradycardia. It is a common, benign pattern due to an immature respiratory center. Apnea is a
pause >20 seconds or accompanied by bradycardia/cyanosis and is abnormal .
Q6: Normal Newborn Heart Rate
What is the normal heart rate range for a newborn?
A. 80-100 bpm
B. 100-140 bpm
C. 110-160 bpm
D. 140-180 bpm
