NUR 230 questions and Answers | 2026 Update |
100% Correct
What is the first breath of life characterized by?
A gasp that generates an increase in transpulmonary pressure and results in diaphragmatic
descent.
What role does surfactant play in newborn lungs?
Surfactant reduces surface tension, preventing alveolar collapse and loss of lung volume.
How does the amount of surfactant relate to the risk of respiratory distress in premature
infants?
More premature infants have less surfactant, increasing the risk of respiratory distress.
What happens to the fluid in the lungs during birth?
Fluid is removed and replaced with air; passage through the birth canal helps eliminate two-
thirds of the fluid.
What is the normal respiratory rate for newborns?
30-60 breaths per minute, with short periods of apnea lasting less than 5-10 seconds.
What are signs of respiratory distress in newborns?
Central cyanosis, tachypnea, expiratory grunting, sternal retracting, and nasal flaring.
What is the significance of clamping the umbilical cord after birth?
It eliminates the placenta as a reservoir for blood, initiating cardiovascular changes.
, What causes the closure of the foramen ovale in newborns?
Increased pulmonary blood flow and pressure in the left atrium after the onset of respirations.
What happens to the ductus arteriosus after birth?
It closes within 10 to 15 hours after birth due to increased pressure in the aorta.
What is a neutral thermal environment (NTE) for newborns?
An environment where body temperature is maintained without increased metabolic rate or
oxygen use.
What is cold stress in newborns?
Excessive heat loss requiring compensation through non-shivering thermogenesis, which can
lead to various health issues.
What are some characteristics that predispose newborns to heat loss?
Thin skin, increased skin permeability, lack of shivering ability, limited metabolic substrate
stores, and large surface area-to-body mass ratio.
What is bilirubin and why do newborns have high levels?
Bilirubin is a byproduct of RBC breakdown; newborns have higher levels due to a higher
turnover of RBCs.
What is jaundice in newborns?
A condition characterized by yellowing of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes, typically
mild and self-limiting.
100% Correct
What is the first breath of life characterized by?
A gasp that generates an increase in transpulmonary pressure and results in diaphragmatic
descent.
What role does surfactant play in newborn lungs?
Surfactant reduces surface tension, preventing alveolar collapse and loss of lung volume.
How does the amount of surfactant relate to the risk of respiratory distress in premature
infants?
More premature infants have less surfactant, increasing the risk of respiratory distress.
What happens to the fluid in the lungs during birth?
Fluid is removed and replaced with air; passage through the birth canal helps eliminate two-
thirds of the fluid.
What is the normal respiratory rate for newborns?
30-60 breaths per minute, with short periods of apnea lasting less than 5-10 seconds.
What are signs of respiratory distress in newborns?
Central cyanosis, tachypnea, expiratory grunting, sternal retracting, and nasal flaring.
What is the significance of clamping the umbilical cord after birth?
It eliminates the placenta as a reservoir for blood, initiating cardiovascular changes.
, What causes the closure of the foramen ovale in newborns?
Increased pulmonary blood flow and pressure in the left atrium after the onset of respirations.
What happens to the ductus arteriosus after birth?
It closes within 10 to 15 hours after birth due to increased pressure in the aorta.
What is a neutral thermal environment (NTE) for newborns?
An environment where body temperature is maintained without increased metabolic rate or
oxygen use.
What is cold stress in newborns?
Excessive heat loss requiring compensation through non-shivering thermogenesis, which can
lead to various health issues.
What are some characteristics that predispose newborns to heat loss?
Thin skin, increased skin permeability, lack of shivering ability, limited metabolic substrate
stores, and large surface area-to-body mass ratio.
What is bilirubin and why do newborns have high levels?
Bilirubin is a byproduct of RBC breakdown; newborns have higher levels due to a higher
turnover of RBCs.
What is jaundice in newborns?
A condition characterized by yellowing of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes, typically
mild and self-limiting.
