Chpt. 18 Nursing Management Of The Newborn Exam
With Ques ons And Answers 2025
"1. How can a mother achieve the football-hold posi on for breas eeding?" - correct answers
"1. The football hold is achieved by holding the infant's back and shoulders in the palm of the
mother's hand and tucking the infant under the mother's arm. The infant's ear, shoulder, and
hip should be in a straight line. The mother's hand should support the breast and bring it to the
infant's lips to latch on un l the infant begins to nurse. This posi on allows the mother to see
the infant's mouth as she guides her infant to the nipple. Mothers who have had a cesarean
birth can avoid pressure on the inci- sion lines by adop ng the football hold posi on for
breas eeding."
"2. What is colostrum?" - correct answers "2. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish substance secreted
during the first few days a er birth. It is high in protein, minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins. It is
rich in immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA), which help protect the newborn's GI tract against infec ons.
It is a natural laxa ve to help rid the intes nal tract of meconium quickly."
"3. What is the use of fiber op c pads in treat- ment of physiologic jaundice?" - correct answers
"3. Fiber op c pads (Biliblanket or Bilivest) are used for treatment of physiologic jaundice and
can be wrapped around newborns or newborns can lie upon them. These pads consist of a light
that is delivered from a tungsten-halogen bulb through a fiber op c cable and is emi ed from
the sides and ends of the fibers inside a plas c pad. They work on the premise that
phototherapy can be improved by delivering higher-intensity therapeu- c light to decrease
bilirubin levels. The pads do not produce appreciable heat like banks of lights or spotlights do,
so insensible water loss is not increased. Eye patches are also not needed; thus, parents can
feed and hold their newborns con nu- ously to promote bonding."
"4. How can a nurse test Moro reflex?" - correct answers "4. The Moro reflex, or the embrace
reflex, occurs when the neonate is startled. To elicit this reflex, the newborn is placed on his
,back. The upper body weight of the supine newborn is supported by the arms with use of a
li ing mo on, without li ing the newborn off the surface. When the arms are released
suddenly, the newborn will throw the arms outward and flex the knees; arms then return to the
chest. The fingers also spread to form a C. The newborn ini ally appears startled and then
relaxes to a normal res ng posi on."
"5. What is caput succedaneum?" - correct answers "5. Caput succedaneum is a localized
edema on the scalp that occurs from the pressure of the birth process. It is commonly observed
a er prolonged labor. Clinically, it appears as a poorly demarcated so ssue swelling that
crosses suture lines. Pi ng edema and overlying petechiae and ecchymosis are noted. The
swelling will gradually dissipate in about 3 days without any treatment. Newborns who were
delivered via vacuum extrac on usually have a caput in the area where the cup was used."
"6. What is erythema toxicum?" - correct answers "6. Erythema toxicum is a benign, idiopathic,
very common, generalized, transient rash occurring in as many as 70% of all newborns during
the first week of life. It consists of small papules or pustules on the skin resembling flea bites.
The rash is common on the face, chest, and back. One of the chief characteris cs of this rash is
its lack of pa ern. It is caused by the newborn's eosinophils reac ng to the environment as the
immune system matures. It does not require any treatment, and it disap- pears in a few days."
"Karen, a first- me mother, is worried that her baby does not sleep properly and wakes up
every 2 hours. Karen informs the nurse that she o en brings the baby to her bed to nurse and
falls asleep with the baby in her bed.
1. What informa on should the nurse offer regarding the sleeping habits of newborns?" -
correct answers "1. The nurse should inform the mother that newborns usually sleep for up to
20 hours daily, for periods of 2 to 4 hours at a me, but not through the night. This is because
their stomach capacity is too small to go long periods of me without nour- ishment. All
newborns develop their own sleep pa erns and cycles."
"2. What safety precau ons should the mother take when pu ng the baby to sleep?" - correct
answers "2. The nurse should ask the mother to place the newborn on her back to sleep;
remove all fluffy bedding, quilts, sheepskins, stuffed animals, and pillows from the crib to
prevent poten al suffoca on. Parents should avoid unsafe condi ons such as placing the
newborn in the prone posi on, using a crib that does not meet federal safety guidelines,
,allowing window cords to hang loose and in close proximity to the crib, or having the room
temperature too high, causing overhea ng."
"3. What educa on should the nurse impart to Karen to discourage bed-sharing?" - correct
answers "3. The nurse should educate Karen about poten al risks of bed-sharing. Bringing a
newborn into bed to nurse or quiet her down and then falling asleep with the newborn is not a
safe prac ce. Infants who sleep in adult beds are up to 40 mes more likely to suffocate than
those who sleep in cribs. Suffoca on also can occur when the infant gets entangled in bedding
or caught under pillows, or slips between the bed and the wall or the headboard and ma ress.
It can also happen when someone accidentally rolls against or on top of them. Therefore, the
safest sleeping loca on for all newborns is in their crib, without any movable objects close."
1. "The nurse caring for a newborn has to perform assessment at various intervals. When should
the nurse complete the second assessment for the newborn?
a. Immediately a er birth, in the birthing area
b. Within the first 2 to 4 hours, when the newborn is in the nursery
c. Before the newborn is discharged
d. The day a er the newborn's birth" - correct answers "Answer: b
RATIONALE: The nurse should complete the sec- ond assessment for the newborn within the
first 2 to 4 hours, when the newborn is in the nursery. The nurse should complete the ini al
newborn assessment in the birthing area and the third assessment before the newborn is
discharged."
2. "A nurse is caring for a 5-hour-old newborn. The physician has asked the nurse to maintain
the newborn's temperature between 97.7° and 99.5° F (between 36.5° and 37.5° C). What
nursing interven on should the nurse perform to maintain the temperature within the
recommended range?
a. Avoid measuring the weight of the infant, as scales may be cold.
b. Use the stethoscope over the baby's garment.
c. Place the newborn close to the outer wall in the room.
d. Place the newborn skin-to-skin with the mother." - correct answers "2. Answer: d
, RATIONALE: The nurse should place the newborn skin-to-skin with mother. This would help to
maintain baby's temperature as well as promote breas eeding and bonding between the
mother and baby. The nurse can weigh the infant as long as a warmed cover is placed on the
scale. The stethoscope should be warmed before it makes contact with the infant's skin, rather
than using the stethoscope over the garment because it may obscure the reading. The
newborn's crib should not be placed close to the outer walls in the room to prevent heat loss
through radia on."
3. "As a part of the newborn assessment, the nurse determines the skin turgor. Which of the
following nursing interven ons is relevant when observing the turgor of the newborn's skin?
a. Pinch skin and note return to original posi on.
b. Examine for stork bites or salmon patches.
c. Check for unopened sebaceous glands.
d. Inspect for blue or purple splotches on bu ocks." - correct answers "3. Answer: a
RATIONALE: Skin turgor is checked by pinching the skin over chest or abdomen and no ng the
return to original posi on; if the skin remains "tented" a er pinching, it denotes dehydra on.
Stork bites or salmon patches, unopened sebaceous glands, and blue or purple splotches on
bu ocks are common skin varia ons not related to skin turgor."
"Which of the following informa on should the nurse give to a client who is breas eeding her
newborn regarding the nutri onal requirements of newborns, as per the recommenda ons of
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)?
a. Feed the infant at least 10 mL per kg of water daily."
"b. Give iron supplements to the newborn daily.
c. Give vitamin D supplements daily for the first 2 months.
d. Ensure adequate fluoride supplementa on." - correct answers "4. Answer: c RATIONALE: As
per the recommenda ons of AAP, all newborns should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D
during the first 2 months of life to prevent rickets and vitamin D deficiency. There is no need to
feed the newborn water, as breast milk contains enough water to meet the newborn's needs.
Iron supplements need not be given, as the newborn is being breas ed. Infants over 6 months
of age are given fluoride supplementa on if they are not receiving fluoridated water."
With Ques ons And Answers 2025
"1. How can a mother achieve the football-hold posi on for breas eeding?" - correct answers
"1. The football hold is achieved by holding the infant's back and shoulders in the palm of the
mother's hand and tucking the infant under the mother's arm. The infant's ear, shoulder, and
hip should be in a straight line. The mother's hand should support the breast and bring it to the
infant's lips to latch on un l the infant begins to nurse. This posi on allows the mother to see
the infant's mouth as she guides her infant to the nipple. Mothers who have had a cesarean
birth can avoid pressure on the inci- sion lines by adop ng the football hold posi on for
breas eeding."
"2. What is colostrum?" - correct answers "2. Colostrum is a thick, yellowish substance secreted
during the first few days a er birth. It is high in protein, minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins. It is
rich in immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA), which help protect the newborn's GI tract against infec ons.
It is a natural laxa ve to help rid the intes nal tract of meconium quickly."
"3. What is the use of fiber op c pads in treat- ment of physiologic jaundice?" - correct answers
"3. Fiber op c pads (Biliblanket or Bilivest) are used for treatment of physiologic jaundice and
can be wrapped around newborns or newborns can lie upon them. These pads consist of a light
that is delivered from a tungsten-halogen bulb through a fiber op c cable and is emi ed from
the sides and ends of the fibers inside a plas c pad. They work on the premise that
phototherapy can be improved by delivering higher-intensity therapeu- c light to decrease
bilirubin levels. The pads do not produce appreciable heat like banks of lights or spotlights do,
so insensible water loss is not increased. Eye patches are also not needed; thus, parents can
feed and hold their newborns con nu- ously to promote bonding."
"4. How can a nurse test Moro reflex?" - correct answers "4. The Moro reflex, or the embrace
reflex, occurs when the neonate is startled. To elicit this reflex, the newborn is placed on his
,back. The upper body weight of the supine newborn is supported by the arms with use of a
li ing mo on, without li ing the newborn off the surface. When the arms are released
suddenly, the newborn will throw the arms outward and flex the knees; arms then return to the
chest. The fingers also spread to form a C. The newborn ini ally appears startled and then
relaxes to a normal res ng posi on."
"5. What is caput succedaneum?" - correct answers "5. Caput succedaneum is a localized
edema on the scalp that occurs from the pressure of the birth process. It is commonly observed
a er prolonged labor. Clinically, it appears as a poorly demarcated so ssue swelling that
crosses suture lines. Pi ng edema and overlying petechiae and ecchymosis are noted. The
swelling will gradually dissipate in about 3 days without any treatment. Newborns who were
delivered via vacuum extrac on usually have a caput in the area where the cup was used."
"6. What is erythema toxicum?" - correct answers "6. Erythema toxicum is a benign, idiopathic,
very common, generalized, transient rash occurring in as many as 70% of all newborns during
the first week of life. It consists of small papules or pustules on the skin resembling flea bites.
The rash is common on the face, chest, and back. One of the chief characteris cs of this rash is
its lack of pa ern. It is caused by the newborn's eosinophils reac ng to the environment as the
immune system matures. It does not require any treatment, and it disap- pears in a few days."
"Karen, a first- me mother, is worried that her baby does not sleep properly and wakes up
every 2 hours. Karen informs the nurse that she o en brings the baby to her bed to nurse and
falls asleep with the baby in her bed.
1. What informa on should the nurse offer regarding the sleeping habits of newborns?" -
correct answers "1. The nurse should inform the mother that newborns usually sleep for up to
20 hours daily, for periods of 2 to 4 hours at a me, but not through the night. This is because
their stomach capacity is too small to go long periods of me without nour- ishment. All
newborns develop their own sleep pa erns and cycles."
"2. What safety precau ons should the mother take when pu ng the baby to sleep?" - correct
answers "2. The nurse should ask the mother to place the newborn on her back to sleep;
remove all fluffy bedding, quilts, sheepskins, stuffed animals, and pillows from the crib to
prevent poten al suffoca on. Parents should avoid unsafe condi ons such as placing the
newborn in the prone posi on, using a crib that does not meet federal safety guidelines,
,allowing window cords to hang loose and in close proximity to the crib, or having the room
temperature too high, causing overhea ng."
"3. What educa on should the nurse impart to Karen to discourage bed-sharing?" - correct
answers "3. The nurse should educate Karen about poten al risks of bed-sharing. Bringing a
newborn into bed to nurse or quiet her down and then falling asleep with the newborn is not a
safe prac ce. Infants who sleep in adult beds are up to 40 mes more likely to suffocate than
those who sleep in cribs. Suffoca on also can occur when the infant gets entangled in bedding
or caught under pillows, or slips between the bed and the wall or the headboard and ma ress.
It can also happen when someone accidentally rolls against or on top of them. Therefore, the
safest sleeping loca on for all newborns is in their crib, without any movable objects close."
1. "The nurse caring for a newborn has to perform assessment at various intervals. When should
the nurse complete the second assessment for the newborn?
a. Immediately a er birth, in the birthing area
b. Within the first 2 to 4 hours, when the newborn is in the nursery
c. Before the newborn is discharged
d. The day a er the newborn's birth" - correct answers "Answer: b
RATIONALE: The nurse should complete the sec- ond assessment for the newborn within the
first 2 to 4 hours, when the newborn is in the nursery. The nurse should complete the ini al
newborn assessment in the birthing area and the third assessment before the newborn is
discharged."
2. "A nurse is caring for a 5-hour-old newborn. The physician has asked the nurse to maintain
the newborn's temperature between 97.7° and 99.5° F (between 36.5° and 37.5° C). What
nursing interven on should the nurse perform to maintain the temperature within the
recommended range?
a. Avoid measuring the weight of the infant, as scales may be cold.
b. Use the stethoscope over the baby's garment.
c. Place the newborn close to the outer wall in the room.
d. Place the newborn skin-to-skin with the mother." - correct answers "2. Answer: d
, RATIONALE: The nurse should place the newborn skin-to-skin with mother. This would help to
maintain baby's temperature as well as promote breas eeding and bonding between the
mother and baby. The nurse can weigh the infant as long as a warmed cover is placed on the
scale. The stethoscope should be warmed before it makes contact with the infant's skin, rather
than using the stethoscope over the garment because it may obscure the reading. The
newborn's crib should not be placed close to the outer walls in the room to prevent heat loss
through radia on."
3. "As a part of the newborn assessment, the nurse determines the skin turgor. Which of the
following nursing interven ons is relevant when observing the turgor of the newborn's skin?
a. Pinch skin and note return to original posi on.
b. Examine for stork bites or salmon patches.
c. Check for unopened sebaceous glands.
d. Inspect for blue or purple splotches on bu ocks." - correct answers "3. Answer: a
RATIONALE: Skin turgor is checked by pinching the skin over chest or abdomen and no ng the
return to original posi on; if the skin remains "tented" a er pinching, it denotes dehydra on.
Stork bites or salmon patches, unopened sebaceous glands, and blue or purple splotches on
bu ocks are common skin varia ons not related to skin turgor."
"Which of the following informa on should the nurse give to a client who is breas eeding her
newborn regarding the nutri onal requirements of newborns, as per the recommenda ons of
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)?
a. Feed the infant at least 10 mL per kg of water daily."
"b. Give iron supplements to the newborn daily.
c. Give vitamin D supplements daily for the first 2 months.
d. Ensure adequate fluoride supplementa on." - correct answers "4. Answer: c RATIONALE: As
per the recommenda ons of AAP, all newborns should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D
during the first 2 months of life to prevent rickets and vitamin D deficiency. There is no need to
feed the newborn water, as breast milk contains enough water to meet the newborn's needs.
Iron supplements need not be given, as the newborn is being breas ed. Infants over 6 months
of age are given fluoride supplementa on if they are not receiving fluoridated water."
