Neonatal Neurology in Nursing ACTUAL
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
A neonate presents with seizures within the first 24 hours of life. What is the likely cause?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal seizures are often caused by hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy (HIE), intracranial hemorrhage, infection, or metabolic disturbances.
Seizures may be subtle, including lip smacking, eye deviation, or apnea, making early
recognition challenging. Nurses monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, and neurological
status continuously. Electroencephalography (EEG) may be used for confirmation.
Management includes treating the underlying cause and administering anticonvulsants if
indicated. Early identification and intervention prevent further brain injury and improve
neurodevelopmental outcomes.
What are the clinical signs of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ HIE results from perinatal asphyxia leading to brain injury.
Signs include altered consciousness, hypotonia, poor feeding, seizures, and abnormal
reflexes. Nurses monitor vital signs, oxygenation, perfusion, and neurological status.
Therapeutic hypothermia may be initiated to reduce brain damage. Supportive care includes
maintaining normoglycemia, normothermia, and fluid balance. Early recognition and
intervention improve survival and reduce long-term neurodevelopmental deficits.
A neonate presents with bulging fontanelles and irritability. What is a likely cause?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Bulging fontanelles and irritability may indicate increased
intracranial pressure (ICP) due to hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, or infection.
Nurses assess head circumference, fontanelle tension, and neurological status. Vital signs and
oxygen saturation are monitored closely. Interventions include positioning to reduce ICP,
maintaining airway, and preparing for possible surgical intervention. Educate parents about
warning signs and the need for follow-up. Prompt recognition and treatment prevent further
brain injury and neurological sequelae.
What is periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and how does it affect neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ PVL is white matter injury in the periventricular region of
preterm infants, often due to ischemia or infection. Clinical signs may include hypotonia,
abnormal reflexes, and delayed motor development. Nurses monitor neurological status,
growth, and feeding tolerance. Supportive care includes physical therapy, developmental
interventions, and prevention of further hypoxic episodes. Early detection through imaging
, and monitoring improves prognosis. PVL is associated with cerebral palsy and long-term
neurodevelopmental impairment, highlighting the need for careful neonatal neurological care.
How are neonatal seizures classified?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal seizures are classified as subtle, clonic, tonic, or
myoclonic, based on clinical manifestations. Subtle seizures include eye deviation, sucking,
or apnea, while tonic seizures involve sustained muscle contractions. Nurses monitor seizure
activity, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and neurological status continuously. EEG is used for
accurate diagnosis. Management involves treating underlying causes and using
anticonvulsants when necessary. Early identification and classification guide treatment and
help prevent further neurological injury.
A neonate has hypotonia and poor reflexes. What is the nursing assessment focus?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Hypotonia and poor reflexes may indicate neuromuscular
disorders, HIE, or metabolic abnormalities. Nurses assess muscle tone, reflexes, posture, and
developmental milestones. Monitor feeding, respiration, and oxygenation closely. Diagnostic
tests include neurological examination, imaging, and metabolic screening. Supportive care
involves maintaining airway, nutrition, and preventing complications. Early detection allows
timely intervention to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
What are the nursing priorities for a neonate with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ IVH is common in preterm infants due to fragile germinal
matrix vessels. Nurses monitor head circumference, fontanelle tension, vital signs, oxygen
saturation, and neurological status. Interventions include minimizing stress, careful handling,
and maintaining hemodynamic stability. Prepare for possible ventricular drainage or
neurosurgical intervention. Educate parents about condition, prognosis, and developmental
follow-up. Early recognition and supportive care reduce morbidity and improve outcomes.
How is neonatal meningitis identified and managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal meningitis presents with fever, irritability, lethargy,
poor feeding, vomiting, and seizures. Diagnosis is confirmed with lumbar puncture, CSF
analysis, and culture. Management includes intravenous antibiotics, supportive care, and
monitoring for complications such as hydrocephalus. Nurses monitor vital signs, neurological
status, and hydration closely. Educate parents on infection prevention and long-term follow-
up. Prompt treatment improves survival and reduces neurological sequelae.
A neonate presents with jitteriness and tremors. What should the nurse assess?
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
A neonate presents with seizures within the first 24 hours of life. What is the likely cause?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal seizures are often caused by hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy (HIE), intracranial hemorrhage, infection, or metabolic disturbances.
Seizures may be subtle, including lip smacking, eye deviation, or apnea, making early
recognition challenging. Nurses monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, and neurological
status continuously. Electroencephalography (EEG) may be used for confirmation.
Management includes treating the underlying cause and administering anticonvulsants if
indicated. Early identification and intervention prevent further brain injury and improve
neurodevelopmental outcomes.
What are the clinical signs of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ HIE results from perinatal asphyxia leading to brain injury.
Signs include altered consciousness, hypotonia, poor feeding, seizures, and abnormal
reflexes. Nurses monitor vital signs, oxygenation, perfusion, and neurological status.
Therapeutic hypothermia may be initiated to reduce brain damage. Supportive care includes
maintaining normoglycemia, normothermia, and fluid balance. Early recognition and
intervention improve survival and reduce long-term neurodevelopmental deficits.
A neonate presents with bulging fontanelles and irritability. What is a likely cause?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Bulging fontanelles and irritability may indicate increased
intracranial pressure (ICP) due to hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, or infection.
Nurses assess head circumference, fontanelle tension, and neurological status. Vital signs and
oxygen saturation are monitored closely. Interventions include positioning to reduce ICP,
maintaining airway, and preparing for possible surgical intervention. Educate parents about
warning signs and the need for follow-up. Prompt recognition and treatment prevent further
brain injury and neurological sequelae.
What is periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and how does it affect neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ PVL is white matter injury in the periventricular region of
preterm infants, often due to ischemia or infection. Clinical signs may include hypotonia,
abnormal reflexes, and delayed motor development. Nurses monitor neurological status,
growth, and feeding tolerance. Supportive care includes physical therapy, developmental
interventions, and prevention of further hypoxic episodes. Early detection through imaging
, and monitoring improves prognosis. PVL is associated with cerebral palsy and long-term
neurodevelopmental impairment, highlighting the need for careful neonatal neurological care.
How are neonatal seizures classified?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal seizures are classified as subtle, clonic, tonic, or
myoclonic, based on clinical manifestations. Subtle seizures include eye deviation, sucking,
or apnea, while tonic seizures involve sustained muscle contractions. Nurses monitor seizure
activity, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and neurological status continuously. EEG is used for
accurate diagnosis. Management involves treating underlying causes and using
anticonvulsants when necessary. Early identification and classification guide treatment and
help prevent further neurological injury.
A neonate has hypotonia and poor reflexes. What is the nursing assessment focus?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Hypotonia and poor reflexes may indicate neuromuscular
disorders, HIE, or metabolic abnormalities. Nurses assess muscle tone, reflexes, posture, and
developmental milestones. Monitor feeding, respiration, and oxygenation closely. Diagnostic
tests include neurological examination, imaging, and metabolic screening. Supportive care
involves maintaining airway, nutrition, and preventing complications. Early detection allows
timely intervention to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
What are the nursing priorities for a neonate with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ IVH is common in preterm infants due to fragile germinal
matrix vessels. Nurses monitor head circumference, fontanelle tension, vital signs, oxygen
saturation, and neurological status. Interventions include minimizing stress, careful handling,
and maintaining hemodynamic stability. Prepare for possible ventricular drainage or
neurosurgical intervention. Educate parents about condition, prognosis, and developmental
follow-up. Early recognition and supportive care reduce morbidity and improve outcomes.
How is neonatal meningitis identified and managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal meningitis presents with fever, irritability, lethargy,
poor feeding, vomiting, and seizures. Diagnosis is confirmed with lumbar puncture, CSF
analysis, and culture. Management includes intravenous antibiotics, supportive care, and
monitoring for complications such as hydrocephalus. Nurses monitor vital signs, neurological
status, and hydration closely. Educate parents on infection prevention and long-term follow-
up. Prompt treatment improves survival and reduces neurological sequelae.
A neonate presents with jitteriness and tremors. What should the nurse assess?
