NUR 198 Exam 3 Questions and Answers | {NEW
VERSION} Practice Questions | Latest 2026/2027
Complete Exam Study Guide – Maternity &
Newborn Nursing
This comprehensive document contains Actual questions for the NUR 198 Exam 3, based
on actual exam content covering maternal-newborn nursing, postpartum care, neonatal
complications, and cardiovascular concepts. Each answer includes the correct option
in bold with a detailed rationale.
SECTION 1: NEWBORN THERMOREGULATION & PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–15)
1. The nurse is aware that a newborn must be dried completely after it is born to
prevent which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: D
Evaporation is the loss of heat when moisture on the skin (amniotic fluid) evaporates into
the air. Drying the newborn immediately after birth minimizes this heat loss. Convection is
heat loss to moving air (air conditioning), radiation is heat loss to cold surfaces, and
conduction is heat loss to cold objects.
,2. The nurse is aware that a newborn must be kept away from air conditioning to
prevent which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: C
Convection heat loss occurs when heat is transferred to moving air currents, such as those
from air conditioning vents. Keeping newborns away from drafts and air conditioning
prevents this type of heat loss.
3. The nurse is aware that a newborn must not be placed on a cold surface to prevent
which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: B
Conduction is heat loss that occurs when the newborn's skin comes into contact with a cold
surface, such as a cold weighing scale or cold linens. Placing a warmed blanket or pre-
warmed surface prevents conductive heat loss.
4. The nurse is aware that a newborn should not be placed near a cold window to
prevent which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: A
,Radiation heat loss occurs when heat is transferred from the newborn to cooler objects that
are not in direct contact, such as cold windows or exterior walls. Placing the bassinet away
from windows prevents this heat loss.
5. A newborn is placed in an open crib near a cold window. Which type of heat loss is
the newborn at risk for?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: A
Radiation heat loss occurs when the newborn loses body heat to cooler surfaces nearby,
such as a cold window. Even without direct contact, heat radiates from the infant's body to
the colder surface.
SECTION 2: RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (Questions 6–15)
6. A nurse is caring for a preterm newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
who has respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The nurse should monitor for an
improvement in which of the following after giving Curasurf (beractant)?
A) Heart rate
B) Body temperature
C) Respiratory effort
D) Appetite
Answer: C
Curasurf (beractant) is a synthetic surfactant administered to preterm infants with RDS to
replace deficient surfactant and improve lung compliance. The nurse should monitor for
improvement in respiratory effort, including decreased work of breathing and improved
oxygen saturation.
, 7. A nurse is caring for a preterm newborn at 33 weeks gestation who has respiratory
distress syndrome. Which finding indicates the Curasurf (beractant) was effective?
A) Heart rate increased from 140 to 160 bpm
B) Oxygen saturation improved from 85% to 94%
C) Temperature increased from 97.5°F to 98.6°F
D) Newborn began feeding
Answer: B
Improved oxygen saturation is the most direct indicator of surfactant effectiveness. The
surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, improving gas exchange and oxygenation.
Respiratory effort should also improve.
8. What is the primary pathophysiology of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in
preterm newborns?
A) Surfactant deficiency leading to alveolar collapse
B) Meconium aspiration
C) Pneumonia
D) Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Answer: A
RDS is caused by surfactant deficiency in preterm infants. Surfactant reduces surface
tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse during expiration. Without adequate surfactant,
alveoli collapse, leading to respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and acidosis.
9. Which assessment finding is most consistent with RDS in a preterm newborn?
A) Grunting and nasal flaring
B) Bradycardia
C) Hypothermia
D) Hypotension
Answer: A
Grunting (expiratory effort to maintain airway pressure), nasal flaring, retractions, and
tachypnea are classic signs of RDS. These findings indicate increased work of breathing
due to alveolar collapse.
VERSION} Practice Questions | Latest 2026/2027
Complete Exam Study Guide – Maternity &
Newborn Nursing
This comprehensive document contains Actual questions for the NUR 198 Exam 3, based
on actual exam content covering maternal-newborn nursing, postpartum care, neonatal
complications, and cardiovascular concepts. Each answer includes the correct option
in bold with a detailed rationale.
SECTION 1: NEWBORN THERMOREGULATION & PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–15)
1. The nurse is aware that a newborn must be dried completely after it is born to
prevent which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: D
Evaporation is the loss of heat when moisture on the skin (amniotic fluid) evaporates into
the air. Drying the newborn immediately after birth minimizes this heat loss. Convection is
heat loss to moving air (air conditioning), radiation is heat loss to cold surfaces, and
conduction is heat loss to cold objects.
,2. The nurse is aware that a newborn must be kept away from air conditioning to
prevent which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: C
Convection heat loss occurs when heat is transferred to moving air currents, such as those
from air conditioning vents. Keeping newborns away from drafts and air conditioning
prevents this type of heat loss.
3. The nurse is aware that a newborn must not be placed on a cold surface to prevent
which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: B
Conduction is heat loss that occurs when the newborn's skin comes into contact with a cold
surface, such as a cold weighing scale or cold linens. Placing a warmed blanket or pre-
warmed surface prevents conductive heat loss.
4. The nurse is aware that a newborn should not be placed near a cold window to
prevent which type of heat loss?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: A
,Radiation heat loss occurs when heat is transferred from the newborn to cooler objects that
are not in direct contact, such as cold windows or exterior walls. Placing the bassinet away
from windows prevents this heat loss.
5. A newborn is placed in an open crib near a cold window. Which type of heat loss is
the newborn at risk for?
A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Evaporation
Answer: A
Radiation heat loss occurs when the newborn loses body heat to cooler surfaces nearby,
such as a cold window. Even without direct contact, heat radiates from the infant's body to
the colder surface.
SECTION 2: RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (Questions 6–15)
6. A nurse is caring for a preterm newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
who has respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The nurse should monitor for an
improvement in which of the following after giving Curasurf (beractant)?
A) Heart rate
B) Body temperature
C) Respiratory effort
D) Appetite
Answer: C
Curasurf (beractant) is a synthetic surfactant administered to preterm infants with RDS to
replace deficient surfactant and improve lung compliance. The nurse should monitor for
improvement in respiratory effort, including decreased work of breathing and improved
oxygen saturation.
, 7. A nurse is caring for a preterm newborn at 33 weeks gestation who has respiratory
distress syndrome. Which finding indicates the Curasurf (beractant) was effective?
A) Heart rate increased from 140 to 160 bpm
B) Oxygen saturation improved from 85% to 94%
C) Temperature increased from 97.5°F to 98.6°F
D) Newborn began feeding
Answer: B
Improved oxygen saturation is the most direct indicator of surfactant effectiveness. The
surfactant reduces alveolar surface tension, improving gas exchange and oxygenation.
Respiratory effort should also improve.
8. What is the primary pathophysiology of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in
preterm newborns?
A) Surfactant deficiency leading to alveolar collapse
B) Meconium aspiration
C) Pneumonia
D) Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Answer: A
RDS is caused by surfactant deficiency in preterm infants. Surfactant reduces surface
tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse during expiration. Without adequate surfactant,
alveoli collapse, leading to respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and acidosis.
9. Which assessment finding is most consistent with RDS in a preterm newborn?
A) Grunting and nasal flaring
B) Bradycardia
C) Hypothermia
D) Hypotension
Answer: A
Grunting (expiratory effort to maintain airway pressure), nasal flaring, retractions, and
tachypnea are classic signs of RDS. These findings indicate increased work of breathing
due to alveolar collapse.
