Low-Risk Neonatal Nursing Certification
(RNC-LRN) 2026/2027 | 250 Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Comprehensive Exam Study
Guide
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM OVERVIEW
Exam Feature Details
Certifying Body National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Exam Format 175 questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest)
Time Allowed 3 hours
Passing Standard Criterion-referenced (fixed passing score)
Exam Fee $325 ($50 application + $275 testing fee)
Recertification Every 3 years via Continuing Competency Assessment (CCA)
,Content Domains
Domain Weight
General Management 43%
Assessment and Management of Pathophysiological Conditions 39%
General Assessment 14%
Professional Issues 4%
Eligibility Requirements
Active, unencumbered RN license in the US or Canada
24 months of low-risk neonatal specialty experience
Minimum of 2,000 hours of direct practice
Employment in the specialty within the last 24 months
PRACTICE QUESTIONS BY CATEGORY
SECTION A: NEWBORN TRANSITION & ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute is 4. This score indicates:
A) A vigorous, healthy newborn requiring routine care
B) A moderately depressed newborn requiring some resuscitative measures
C) The newborn is in excellent condition
D) No further assessment is needed
, Answer: B) A moderately depressed newborn requiring some resuscitative
measures
Rationale: An Apgar score of 4 at 1 minute indicates moderate depression requiring
intervention such as stimulation, airway clearance, and possibly positive pressure
ventilation. Scores of 0-3 indicate severe depression, 4-6 moderate depression, and 7-10 a
vigorous newborn. A 5-minute Apgar should be assessed to evaluate the response to
interventions .
Question 2
The Ballard Maturational Assessment is used to determine:
A) Neonatal pain level
B) Gestational age based on neuromuscular and physical maturity
C) Blood glucose level
D) Risk for jaundice
Answer: B) Gestational age based on neuromuscular and physical maturity
Rationale: The New Ballard Score (NBS) assesses gestational age by evaluating six
neuromuscular maturity indicators (posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle,
scarf sign, heel to ear) and six physical maturity indicators (skin, lanugo, plantar surface,
breast, eye/ear, genitalia). It is accurate to within two weeks and can be used for newborns
from 20 to 44 weeks gestation .
Question 3
A term newborn has a temperature of 36.0°C (96.8°F) at 30 minutes of age. The nurse
should first:
(RNC-LRN) 2026/2027 | 250 Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Comprehensive Exam Study
Guide
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM OVERVIEW
Exam Feature Details
Certifying Body National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Exam Format 175 questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest)
Time Allowed 3 hours
Passing Standard Criterion-referenced (fixed passing score)
Exam Fee $325 ($50 application + $275 testing fee)
Recertification Every 3 years via Continuing Competency Assessment (CCA)
,Content Domains
Domain Weight
General Management 43%
Assessment and Management of Pathophysiological Conditions 39%
General Assessment 14%
Professional Issues 4%
Eligibility Requirements
Active, unencumbered RN license in the US or Canada
24 months of low-risk neonatal specialty experience
Minimum of 2,000 hours of direct practice
Employment in the specialty within the last 24 months
PRACTICE QUESTIONS BY CATEGORY
SECTION A: NEWBORN TRANSITION & ASSESSMENT
Question 1
A newborn's Apgar score at 1 minute is 4. This score indicates:
A) A vigorous, healthy newborn requiring routine care
B) A moderately depressed newborn requiring some resuscitative measures
C) The newborn is in excellent condition
D) No further assessment is needed
, Answer: B) A moderately depressed newborn requiring some resuscitative
measures
Rationale: An Apgar score of 4 at 1 minute indicates moderate depression requiring
intervention such as stimulation, airway clearance, and possibly positive pressure
ventilation. Scores of 0-3 indicate severe depression, 4-6 moderate depression, and 7-10 a
vigorous newborn. A 5-minute Apgar should be assessed to evaluate the response to
interventions .
Question 2
The Ballard Maturational Assessment is used to determine:
A) Neonatal pain level
B) Gestational age based on neuromuscular and physical maturity
C) Blood glucose level
D) Risk for jaundice
Answer: B) Gestational age based on neuromuscular and physical maturity
Rationale: The New Ballard Score (NBS) assesses gestational age by evaluating six
neuromuscular maturity indicators (posture, square window, arm recoil, popliteal angle,
scarf sign, heel to ear) and six physical maturity indicators (skin, lanugo, plantar surface,
breast, eye/ear, genitalia). It is accurate to within two weeks and can be used for newborns
from 20 to 44 weeks gestation .
Question 3
A term newborn has a temperature of 36.0°C (96.8°F) at 30 minutes of age. The nurse
should first:
