Neonatal Infectious Diseases Nursing
ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the common causes of neonatal sepsis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal sepsis is commonly caused by bacterial pathogens
such as Group B Streptococcus, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as viral and
fungal organisms in certain cases. Early-onset sepsis typically occurs within 72 hours of birth
and is often acquired from the maternal genital tract. Late-onset sepsis occurs after 72 hours
and may be hospital- or community-acquired. Nurses monitor vital signs, feeding tolerance,
temperature, and signs of infection. Blood cultures, CBC, CRP, and other diagnostics help
identify the pathogen. Early detection and prompt antibiotic therapy are essential to reduce
morbidity and mortality. Educate parents on infection prevention and early recognition of
symptoms.
What are the clinical signs of neonatal meningitis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal meningitis presents with lethargy, irritability, poor
feeding, temperature instability, bulging fontanelle, vomiting, and seizures. Nurses perform
thorough neurological assessments and monitor vital signs continuously. Laboratory
investigations such as CSF analysis and blood cultures confirm the diagnosis. Early
administration of appropriate intravenous antibiotics is critical. Supportive care includes
maintaining hydration, oxygenation, and monitoring for complications. Educate parents about
warning signs and the importance of timely treatment. Prompt intervention reduces
neurological sequelae and mortality.
How is congenital syphilis prevented in neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Prevention of congenital syphilis involves screening and
treating pregnant women with penicillin during pregnancy. Nurses educate expectant mothers
on the importance of prenatal care and infection screening. Neonates at risk should be tested
and monitored for signs such as hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and rash. Early treatment
with penicillin therapy prevents complications. Supportive care includes monitoring growth
and developmental milestones. Parent education on follow-up and adherence to treatment is
critical. Timely interventions prevent severe morbidity and long-term consequences.
What are the risk factors for neonatal sepsis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Risk factors include prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged
rupture of membranes, maternal infections, invasive procedures, and immunodeficiency.
Nurses assess neonates for clinical signs of infection and laboratory abnormalities. Early
, recognition of high-risk neonates allows for prompt preventive measures or empiric therapy.
Educate parents about hygiene, infection prevention, and early warning signs. Supportive
care includes monitoring temperature, feeding, oxygenation, and hydration. Timely
intervention reduces morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications. Awareness of risk
factors guides preventive strategies and clinical management.
How is neonatal herpes simplex virus infection managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal HSV infection can present as localized skin lesions,
encephalitis, or disseminated disease. Nurses monitor neurological status, vital signs, feeding
tolerance, and organ function. Management involves intravenous antiviral therapy (acyclovir)
and supportive care. Educate parents on isolation precautions, hygiene, and early recognition
of symptoms. Monitor for complications such as seizures, hepatitis, or disseminated
infection. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce mortality and neurological sequelae.
Comprehensive care ensures optimal outcomes and prevents transmission.
What are the signs of neonatal pneumonia?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal pneumonia presents with tachypnea, grunting, nasal
flaring, chest retractions, cyanosis, temperature instability, and poor feeding. Nurses monitor
oxygen saturation, vital signs, and respiratory effort closely. Diagnostic evaluation includes
chest X-ray, blood cultures, and laboratory tests. Management includes antibiotic therapy,
oxygen supplementation, and supportive care. Educate parents on infection prevention and
respiratory hygiene. Monitor growth, hydration, and overall health. Early intervention
reduces complications and improves survival rates.
How is neonatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection diagnosed and managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ CMV infection may be congenital or acquired postnatally, often
presenting with jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, microcephaly, or growth restriction.
Diagnosis is confirmed with PCR testing of urine, blood, or saliva. Nurses monitor vital
signs, growth parameters, and neurological status. Antiviral therapy such as ganciclovir is
indicated in symptomatic neonates. Supportive care includes nutrition, hydration, and seizure
management if necessary. Educate parents on infection transmission and long-term
monitoring. Early recognition and treatment reduce neurological complications and improve
outcomes.
What is the role of maternal immunization in preventing neonatal infections?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Maternal immunization protects neonates from infections such
as tetanus, influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19. Antibodies are transferred transplacentally to
provide passive immunity. Nurses educate pregnant women on recommended vaccines and
timing. Adequate maternal vaccination reduces neonatal morbidity and hospitalization rates.
ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the common causes of neonatal sepsis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal sepsis is commonly caused by bacterial pathogens
such as Group B Streptococcus, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as viral and
fungal organisms in certain cases. Early-onset sepsis typically occurs within 72 hours of birth
and is often acquired from the maternal genital tract. Late-onset sepsis occurs after 72 hours
and may be hospital- or community-acquired. Nurses monitor vital signs, feeding tolerance,
temperature, and signs of infection. Blood cultures, CBC, CRP, and other diagnostics help
identify the pathogen. Early detection and prompt antibiotic therapy are essential to reduce
morbidity and mortality. Educate parents on infection prevention and early recognition of
symptoms.
What are the clinical signs of neonatal meningitis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal meningitis presents with lethargy, irritability, poor
feeding, temperature instability, bulging fontanelle, vomiting, and seizures. Nurses perform
thorough neurological assessments and monitor vital signs continuously. Laboratory
investigations such as CSF analysis and blood cultures confirm the diagnosis. Early
administration of appropriate intravenous antibiotics is critical. Supportive care includes
maintaining hydration, oxygenation, and monitoring for complications. Educate parents about
warning signs and the importance of timely treatment. Prompt intervention reduces
neurological sequelae and mortality.
How is congenital syphilis prevented in neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Prevention of congenital syphilis involves screening and
treating pregnant women with penicillin during pregnancy. Nurses educate expectant mothers
on the importance of prenatal care and infection screening. Neonates at risk should be tested
and monitored for signs such as hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and rash. Early treatment
with penicillin therapy prevents complications. Supportive care includes monitoring growth
and developmental milestones. Parent education on follow-up and adherence to treatment is
critical. Timely interventions prevent severe morbidity and long-term consequences.
What are the risk factors for neonatal sepsis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Risk factors include prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged
rupture of membranes, maternal infections, invasive procedures, and immunodeficiency.
Nurses assess neonates for clinical signs of infection and laboratory abnormalities. Early
, recognition of high-risk neonates allows for prompt preventive measures or empiric therapy.
Educate parents about hygiene, infection prevention, and early warning signs. Supportive
care includes monitoring temperature, feeding, oxygenation, and hydration. Timely
intervention reduces morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications. Awareness of risk
factors guides preventive strategies and clinical management.
How is neonatal herpes simplex virus infection managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal HSV infection can present as localized skin lesions,
encephalitis, or disseminated disease. Nurses monitor neurological status, vital signs, feeding
tolerance, and organ function. Management involves intravenous antiviral therapy (acyclovir)
and supportive care. Educate parents on isolation precautions, hygiene, and early recognition
of symptoms. Monitor for complications such as seizures, hepatitis, or disseminated
infection. Early diagnosis and treatment reduce mortality and neurological sequelae.
Comprehensive care ensures optimal outcomes and prevents transmission.
What are the signs of neonatal pneumonia?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal pneumonia presents with tachypnea, grunting, nasal
flaring, chest retractions, cyanosis, temperature instability, and poor feeding. Nurses monitor
oxygen saturation, vital signs, and respiratory effort closely. Diagnostic evaluation includes
chest X-ray, blood cultures, and laboratory tests. Management includes antibiotic therapy,
oxygen supplementation, and supportive care. Educate parents on infection prevention and
respiratory hygiene. Monitor growth, hydration, and overall health. Early intervention
reduces complications and improves survival rates.
How is neonatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection diagnosed and managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ CMV infection may be congenital or acquired postnatally, often
presenting with jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, microcephaly, or growth restriction.
Diagnosis is confirmed with PCR testing of urine, blood, or saliva. Nurses monitor vital
signs, growth parameters, and neurological status. Antiviral therapy such as ganciclovir is
indicated in symptomatic neonates. Supportive care includes nutrition, hydration, and seizure
management if necessary. Educate parents on infection transmission and long-term
monitoring. Early recognition and treatment reduce neurological complications and improve
outcomes.
What is the role of maternal immunization in preventing neonatal infections?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Maternal immunization protects neonates from infections such
as tetanus, influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19. Antibodies are transferred transplacentally to
provide passive immunity. Nurses educate pregnant women on recommended vaccines and
timing. Adequate maternal vaccination reduces neonatal morbidity and hospitalization rates.
