NURS 4322 | MATERNAL–NEWBORN NURSING | 2026–2027
Newborn Assessment & Neonatal Care Practice
Questions
2026–2027 | 110 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Emphasizes newborn transition, screenings, feeding, hypoglycemia, jaundice, resuscitation and danger signs.
Independent educational study material. These are original practice questions, not official Southern Utah University, ATI,
faculty, or licensing examination materials. Similar core concepts appear in multiple files to reinforce learning.
Clinical safety note: Use institutional protocols and current professional guidance. Questions are designed for learning and
are not a substitute for medical decision-making or individualized orders.
Study map
Domain Questions in this document
Antepartum and prenatal care 14
Postpartum nursing 17
Newborn assessment and care 42
High-risk and obstetric/neonatal emergencies 37
How to use this resource
Cover the green answer and yellow-highlighted rationale, select A–D, then review the explanation. Mark missed concepts
and revisit the corresponding clinical area. The answer key at the end provides a rapid self-check.
High-yield current guidance checkpoints
• GBS screening: ACOG universal vaginal–rectal culture at 36 0/7–37 6/7 weeks, with intrapartum prophylaxis when
indicated.
• Maternal immunization: Tdap at 27–36 weeks in every pregnancy; Pfizer Abrysvo maternal RSV at 32 0/7–36 6/7 weeks
in the recommended U.S. season.
• Preeclampsia: systolic pressure ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic ≥110 mm Hg is severe range; monitor for headache, visual
symptoms, pulmonary edema and upper-abdominal pain.
• PPH: assess objectively and treat promptly using an integrated protocol; WHO recommends uterine massage,
oxytocic therapy, fluids, IV tranexamic acid when indicated, source assessment and escalation.
• Newborn resuscitation: ventilate for persistent apnea/gasping or HR <100 after initial steps; compress if HR stays <60
after 30 seconds of effective ventilation.
• Jaundice: use bilirubin level, postnatal age in hours, gestational age and neurotoxicity risk factors—not a single
universal phototherapy number.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCE • NURS 4322 • Page 1
, NURS 4322 | MATERNAL–NEWBORN NURSING | 2026–2027
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Questions 1–25
1. Which newborn is at higher risk for hypoglycemia?
A. Infant with a normal glucose trend
B. Infant who has completed feeding successfully
C. Infant of a mother with diabetes
D. Term infant with stable feeding and no risk factors
Correct Answer: C. Infant of a mother with diabetes
Rationale: Fetal hyperinsulinemia after maternal hyperglycemia can lower neonatal blood glucose after birth.
Incorrect options: A (Infant with a normal glucose trend); B (Infant who has completed feeding successfully); D (Term infant with
stable feeding and no risk factors). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Fetal hyperinsulinemia after maternal
hyperglycemia can lower neonatal blood glucose after birth.
2. A breastfeeding newborn is jittery and feeding poorly. Which priority assessment is appropriate?
A. Delay all feeding assessment
B. Check only head circumference
C. Assume normal startle reflex exclusively
D. Measure glucose promptly using neonatal protocol
Correct Answer: D. Measure glucose promptly using neonatal protocol
Rationale: These are possible hypoglycemia signs and warrant timely evaluation and intervention.
Incorrect options: A (Delay all feeding assessment); B (Check only head circumference); C (Assume normal startle reflex
exclusively). These do not best answer the clinical cue; These are possible hypoglycemia signs and warrant timely evaluation and
intervention.
3. What is the purpose of critical congenital heart disease pulse-oximetry screening?
A. Detect some serious cardiac defects not apparent on routine examination
B. Determine gestational age
C. Diagnose all heart murmurs
D. Replace echocardiography entirely
Correct Answer: A. Detect some serious cardiac defects not apparent on routine examination
Rationale: Pre/postductal oximetry can identify hypoxemia from certain critical heart defects.
Incorrect options: B (Determine gestational age); C (Diagnose all heart murmurs); D (Replace echocardiography entirely). These do
not best answer the clinical cue; Pre/postductal oximetry can identify hypoxemia from certain critical heart defects.
4. A postpartum patient describes voices ordering harm to the infant. What is the immediate response?
A. Normalize the voices as mild baby blues
B. Discharge with no follow-up
C. Recommend sleep only without risk assessment
D. Ensure infant and parental safety and obtain emergency psychiatric evaluation
Correct Answer: D. Ensure infant and parental safety and obtain emergency psychiatric evaluation
Rationale: Psychotic symptoms in the postpartum period create an urgent safety situation requiring specialized
care.
Incorrect options: A (Normalize the voices as mild baby blues); B (Discharge with no follow-up); C (Recommend sleep only without
risk assessment). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Psychotic symptoms in the postpartum period create an urgent
safety situation requiring specialized care.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCE • NURS 4322 • Page 2
, NURS 4322 | MATERNAL–NEWBORN NURSING | 2026–2027
5. Which finding requires urgent evaluation for dehydration in a newborn?
A. Responsive feeding with good output
B. Normal sleep between feeds
C. Gradually changing stools
D. Poor feeding, very few wet diapers, and lethargy
Correct Answer: D. Poor feeding, very few wet diapers, and lethargy
Rationale: Inadequate intake and lethargy can indicate dehydration or systemic illness.
Incorrect options: A (Responsive feeding with good output); B (Normal sleep between feeds); C (Gradually changing stools). These
do not best answer the clinical cue; Inadequate intake and lethargy can indicate dehydration or systemic illness.
6. Which change increases the risk of supine hypotension late in pregnancy?
A. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
B. Placental production of insulin only
C. Decreased maternal blood volume to zero
D. Relaxation of the cervical os
Correct Answer: A. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
Rationale: A large uterus can impair venous return when supine; side-lying often improves symptoms.
Incorrect options: B (Placental production of insulin only); C (Decreased maternal blood volume to zero); D (Relaxation of the
cervical os). These do not best answer the clinical cue; A large uterus can impair venous return when supine; side-lying often
improves symptoms.
7. For a pregnant patient with suspected intimate-partner violence, what is the best nursing approach?
A. Document only if injury is visible
B. Screen privately, assess immediate safety, and offer resources without coercion
C. Demand an immediate police report in every case
D. Ask the partner to answer for the patient
Correct Answer: B. Screen privately, assess immediate safety, and offer resources without coercion
Rationale: Private trauma-informed screening and safety planning can improve care while respecting autonomy and
local reporting rules.
Incorrect options: A (Document only if injury is visible); C (Demand an immediate police report in every case); D (Ask the partner to
answer for the patient). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Private trauma-informed screening and safety planning can
improve care while respecting autonomy and local reporting rules.
8. Which newborn finding after difficult birth raises concern for brachial plexus injury?
A. Regular respiratory rhythm
B. Symmetric spontaneous limb movement
C. Asymmetric arm movement or absent Moro on one side
D. Normal palmar grasp bilaterally
Correct Answer: C. Asymmetric arm movement or absent Moro on one side
Rationale: Asymmetric upper-extremity function may signal nerve injury or fracture and requires assessment.
Incorrect options: A (Regular respiratory rhythm); B (Symmetric spontaneous limb movement); D (Normal palmar grasp
bilaterally). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Asymmetric upper-extremity function may signal nerve injury or fracture
and requires assessment.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCE • NURS 4322 • Page 3
Newborn Assessment & Neonatal Care Practice
Questions
2026–2027 | 110 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Emphasizes newborn transition, screenings, feeding, hypoglycemia, jaundice, resuscitation and danger signs.
Independent educational study material. These are original practice questions, not official Southern Utah University, ATI,
faculty, or licensing examination materials. Similar core concepts appear in multiple files to reinforce learning.
Clinical safety note: Use institutional protocols and current professional guidance. Questions are designed for learning and
are not a substitute for medical decision-making or individualized orders.
Study map
Domain Questions in this document
Antepartum and prenatal care 14
Postpartum nursing 17
Newborn assessment and care 42
High-risk and obstetric/neonatal emergencies 37
How to use this resource
Cover the green answer and yellow-highlighted rationale, select A–D, then review the explanation. Mark missed concepts
and revisit the corresponding clinical area. The answer key at the end provides a rapid self-check.
High-yield current guidance checkpoints
• GBS screening: ACOG universal vaginal–rectal culture at 36 0/7–37 6/7 weeks, with intrapartum prophylaxis when
indicated.
• Maternal immunization: Tdap at 27–36 weeks in every pregnancy; Pfizer Abrysvo maternal RSV at 32 0/7–36 6/7 weeks
in the recommended U.S. season.
• Preeclampsia: systolic pressure ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic ≥110 mm Hg is severe range; monitor for headache, visual
symptoms, pulmonary edema and upper-abdominal pain.
• PPH: assess objectively and treat promptly using an integrated protocol; WHO recommends uterine massage,
oxytocic therapy, fluids, IV tranexamic acid when indicated, source assessment and escalation.
• Newborn resuscitation: ventilate for persistent apnea/gasping or HR <100 after initial steps; compress if HR stays <60
after 30 seconds of effective ventilation.
• Jaundice: use bilirubin level, postnatal age in hours, gestational age and neurotoxicity risk factors—not a single
universal phototherapy number.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCE • NURS 4322 • Page 1
, NURS 4322 | MATERNAL–NEWBORN NURSING | 2026–2027
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
Questions 1–25
1. Which newborn is at higher risk for hypoglycemia?
A. Infant with a normal glucose trend
B. Infant who has completed feeding successfully
C. Infant of a mother with diabetes
D. Term infant with stable feeding and no risk factors
Correct Answer: C. Infant of a mother with diabetes
Rationale: Fetal hyperinsulinemia after maternal hyperglycemia can lower neonatal blood glucose after birth.
Incorrect options: A (Infant with a normal glucose trend); B (Infant who has completed feeding successfully); D (Term infant with
stable feeding and no risk factors). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Fetal hyperinsulinemia after maternal
hyperglycemia can lower neonatal blood glucose after birth.
2. A breastfeeding newborn is jittery and feeding poorly. Which priority assessment is appropriate?
A. Delay all feeding assessment
B. Check only head circumference
C. Assume normal startle reflex exclusively
D. Measure glucose promptly using neonatal protocol
Correct Answer: D. Measure glucose promptly using neonatal protocol
Rationale: These are possible hypoglycemia signs and warrant timely evaluation and intervention.
Incorrect options: A (Delay all feeding assessment); B (Check only head circumference); C (Assume normal startle reflex
exclusively). These do not best answer the clinical cue; These are possible hypoglycemia signs and warrant timely evaluation and
intervention.
3. What is the purpose of critical congenital heart disease pulse-oximetry screening?
A. Detect some serious cardiac defects not apparent on routine examination
B. Determine gestational age
C. Diagnose all heart murmurs
D. Replace echocardiography entirely
Correct Answer: A. Detect some serious cardiac defects not apparent on routine examination
Rationale: Pre/postductal oximetry can identify hypoxemia from certain critical heart defects.
Incorrect options: B (Determine gestational age); C (Diagnose all heart murmurs); D (Replace echocardiography entirely). These do
not best answer the clinical cue; Pre/postductal oximetry can identify hypoxemia from certain critical heart defects.
4. A postpartum patient describes voices ordering harm to the infant. What is the immediate response?
A. Normalize the voices as mild baby blues
B. Discharge with no follow-up
C. Recommend sleep only without risk assessment
D. Ensure infant and parental safety and obtain emergency psychiatric evaluation
Correct Answer: D. Ensure infant and parental safety and obtain emergency psychiatric evaluation
Rationale: Psychotic symptoms in the postpartum period create an urgent safety situation requiring specialized
care.
Incorrect options: A (Normalize the voices as mild baby blues); B (Discharge with no follow-up); C (Recommend sleep only without
risk assessment). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Psychotic symptoms in the postpartum period create an urgent
safety situation requiring specialized care.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCE • NURS 4322 • Page 2
, NURS 4322 | MATERNAL–NEWBORN NURSING | 2026–2027
5. Which finding requires urgent evaluation for dehydration in a newborn?
A. Responsive feeding with good output
B. Normal sleep between feeds
C. Gradually changing stools
D. Poor feeding, very few wet diapers, and lethargy
Correct Answer: D. Poor feeding, very few wet diapers, and lethargy
Rationale: Inadequate intake and lethargy can indicate dehydration or systemic illness.
Incorrect options: A (Responsive feeding with good output); B (Normal sleep between feeds); C (Gradually changing stools). These
do not best answer the clinical cue; Inadequate intake and lethargy can indicate dehydration or systemic illness.
6. Which change increases the risk of supine hypotension late in pregnancy?
A. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
B. Placental production of insulin only
C. Decreased maternal blood volume to zero
D. Relaxation of the cervical os
Correct Answer: A. Compression of the vena cava by the gravid uterus
Rationale: A large uterus can impair venous return when supine; side-lying often improves symptoms.
Incorrect options: B (Placental production of insulin only); C (Decreased maternal blood volume to zero); D (Relaxation of the
cervical os). These do not best answer the clinical cue; A large uterus can impair venous return when supine; side-lying often
improves symptoms.
7. For a pregnant patient with suspected intimate-partner violence, what is the best nursing approach?
A. Document only if injury is visible
B. Screen privately, assess immediate safety, and offer resources without coercion
C. Demand an immediate police report in every case
D. Ask the partner to answer for the patient
Correct Answer: B. Screen privately, assess immediate safety, and offer resources without coercion
Rationale: Private trauma-informed screening and safety planning can improve care while respecting autonomy and
local reporting rules.
Incorrect options: A (Document only if injury is visible); C (Demand an immediate police report in every case); D (Ask the partner to
answer for the patient). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Private trauma-informed screening and safety planning can
improve care while respecting autonomy and local reporting rules.
8. Which newborn finding after difficult birth raises concern for brachial plexus injury?
A. Regular respiratory rhythm
B. Symmetric spontaneous limb movement
C. Asymmetric arm movement or absent Moro on one side
D. Normal palmar grasp bilaterally
Correct Answer: C. Asymmetric arm movement or absent Moro on one side
Rationale: Asymmetric upper-extremity function may signal nerve injury or fracture and requires assessment.
Incorrect options: A (Regular respiratory rhythm); B (Symmetric spontaneous limb movement); D (Normal palmar grasp
bilaterally). These do not best answer the clinical cue; Asymmetric upper-extremity function may signal nerve injury or fracture
and requires assessment.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE RESOURCE • NURS 4322 • Page 3
