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NEONATAL NURSING EXAM – NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTIONS 2026-27
LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. A newborn is born at 38 weeks gestation. Immediately after
birth, the Apgar score is 5 at 1 minute. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Encourage breastfeeding
B. Document the score only
C. Provide immediate resuscitation: airway, stimulation,
oxygen
D. Monitor temperature
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A low 1-minute Apgar score (<7) requires resuscitation
measures to stabilize breathing, circulation, and oxygenation.
2. A newborn has respiratory rate 75/min, nasal flaring, and
intercostal retractions. Nursing action?
A. Document only
B. Encourage breastfeeding
,2
C. Provide oxygen and notify neonatal team
D. Apply diaper only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Signs indicate respiratory distress, which requires immediate
intervention to prevent hypoxia.
3. Which vital sign is normal for a term newborn?
A. Heart rate 90 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 75/min
C. Heart rate 140 bpm, respiratory rate 40–60/min
D. Temperature 34°C
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Normal term newborn heart rate: 120–160 bpm; respiratory
rate: 40–60/min.
4. A newborn shows cyanosis of the hands and feet at 6 hours
of life. Nursing action?
A. Document only
B. Monitor; acrocyanosis is normal in first 24–48 hours
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C. Administer oxygen immediately
D. Notify provider urgently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acrocyanosis (peripheral cyanosis) is common and temporary;
central cyanosis requires urgent intervention.
5. Which sign indicates neonatal hypoglycemia?
A. Strong cry
B. Pink skin
C. Jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding
D. Normal reflexes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Neonatal hypoglycemia presents with jitteriness, lethargy, poor
feeding, and sometimes seizures; prompt glucose assessment
is needed.
6. A newborn has temperature 35°C. Nursing action?
A. Document only
B. Provide warming measures: skin-to-skin, radiant warmer
, 4
C. Delay feeding
D. Apply diaper only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Hypothermia in neonates can lead to hypoglycemia, respiratory
distress, and metabolic instability; immediate warming is
essential.
7. Which assessment finding is abnormal in a term newborn?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Heart rate 140 bpm
C. Central cyanosis with tachypnea
D. Moro reflex present
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Central cyanosis indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention.
8. A preterm newborn (32 weeks) is at risk for respiratory
distress syndrome (RDS) due to:
A. Maternal infection
B. Immature surfactant production
NEONATAL NURSING EXAM – NEWBORN
ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTIONS 2026-27
LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. A newborn is born at 38 weeks gestation. Immediately after
birth, the Apgar score is 5 at 1 minute. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Encourage breastfeeding
B. Document the score only
C. Provide immediate resuscitation: airway, stimulation,
oxygen
D. Monitor temperature
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A low 1-minute Apgar score (<7) requires resuscitation
measures to stabilize breathing, circulation, and oxygenation.
2. A newborn has respiratory rate 75/min, nasal flaring, and
intercostal retractions. Nursing action?
A. Document only
B. Encourage breastfeeding
,2
C. Provide oxygen and notify neonatal team
D. Apply diaper only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Signs indicate respiratory distress, which requires immediate
intervention to prevent hypoxia.
3. Which vital sign is normal for a term newborn?
A. Heart rate 90 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 75/min
C. Heart rate 140 bpm, respiratory rate 40–60/min
D. Temperature 34°C
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Normal term newborn heart rate: 120–160 bpm; respiratory
rate: 40–60/min.
4. A newborn shows cyanosis of the hands and feet at 6 hours
of life. Nursing action?
A. Document only
B. Monitor; acrocyanosis is normal in first 24–48 hours
,3
C. Administer oxygen immediately
D. Notify provider urgently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acrocyanosis (peripheral cyanosis) is common and temporary;
central cyanosis requires urgent intervention.
5. Which sign indicates neonatal hypoglycemia?
A. Strong cry
B. Pink skin
C. Jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding
D. Normal reflexes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Neonatal hypoglycemia presents with jitteriness, lethargy, poor
feeding, and sometimes seizures; prompt glucose assessment
is needed.
6. A newborn has temperature 35°C. Nursing action?
A. Document only
B. Provide warming measures: skin-to-skin, radiant warmer
, 4
C. Delay feeding
D. Apply diaper only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Hypothermia in neonates can lead to hypoglycemia, respiratory
distress, and metabolic instability; immediate warming is
essential.
7. Which assessment finding is abnormal in a term newborn?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Heart rate 140 bpm
C. Central cyanosis with tachypnea
D. Moro reflex present
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Central cyanosis indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention.
8. A preterm newborn (32 weeks) is at risk for respiratory
distress syndrome (RDS) due to:
A. Maternal infection
B. Immature surfactant production
