LOWDERMILK CHAPTER 25: NEWBORN NUTRITION AND FEEDING STUDY GUIDE
| COMPLETE MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A new mother recalls from prenatal class that she should try to feed her newborn daughter when she
exhibits feeding readiness cues rather than waiting until the baby is frantically crying. Which feeding cue
would indicate that the baby is ready to eat?
a.
Waves her arms in the air
b.
Makes sucking motions
c.
Has the hiccups
d.
Stretches out her legs straight - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
Sucking motions, rooting, mouthing, and hand-to-mouth motions are examples of feeding readiness
cues. Waving her arms in the air, having the hiccups, and stretching out her extremities are not typical
feeding readiness cues.
2. A pregnant woman wants to breastfeed her infant; however, her husband is not convinced that there
are any scientific reasons to do so. The nurse can give the couple printed information comparing
breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Which statement regarding bottle feeding using commercially
prepared infant formulas might influence their choice?
a.
Bottle feeding using a commercially prepared formula increases the risk that the infant will develop
allergies.
b.
Bottle feeding helps the infant sleep through the night.
c.
Commercially prepared formula ensures that the infant is getting iron in a form that is easily absorbed.
,d.
Bottle feeding requires that multivitamin supplements be given to the infant. - ANS ✔✔ANS: A
Exposure to cows milk poses a risk of developing allergies, eczema, and asthma. Newborns should be fed
during the night, regardless of the feeding method. Iron is better absorbed from breast milk than from
formula. Commercial formulas are designed to meet the nutritional needs of the infant and to resemble
breast milk. No supplements are necessary.
3. A postpartum woman telephones the provider regarding her 5-day-old infant. The client is not
scheduled for another weight check until the infant is 14 days old. The new mother is worried about
whether breastfeeding is going well. Which statement indicates that breastfeeding is effective for
meeting the infants nutritional needs?
a.
Sleeps for 6 hours at a time between feedings
b.
Has at least one breast milk stool every 24 hours
c.
Gains 1 to 2 ounces per week
d.
Has at least six to eight wet diapers per day - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
After day 4, when the mothers milk comes in, the infant should have six to eight wet diapers every 24
hours. Typically, infants sleep 2 to 4 hours between feedings, depending on whether they are being fed
on a 2- to 3-hour schedule or cluster-fed. The infants sleep pattern is not an indication whether the
infant is breastfeeding well. The infant should have a minimum of three bowel movements in a 24-hour
period. Breastfed infants typically gain 15 to 30 g/day.
4. A primiparous woman is delighted with her newborn son and wants to begin breastfeeding as soon as
possible. How should the client be instructed to position the infant to facilitate correct latch-on?
a.
The infant should be positioned with his or her arms folded together over the chest.
b.
The infant should be curled up in a fetal position.
, c.
The woman should cup the infants head in her hand.
d.
The infants head and body should be in alignment with the mother. - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
The infants head and body should be in correct alignment with the mother and the breast during latch-
on and feeding. The infant should be facing the mother with his arms hugging the breast. The babys
body should be held in correct alignment (i.e., ears, shoulder, and hips in a straight line) during feedings.
The mother should support the babys neck and shoulders with her hand and not push on the occiput.
5. A breastfeeding woman develops engorged breasts at 3 days postpartum. What action will help this
client achieve her goal of reducing the engorgement?
a.
Skip feedings to enable her sore breasts to rest.
b.
Avoid using a breast pump.
c.
Breastfeed her infant every 2 hours.
d.
Reduce her fluid intake for 24 hours. - ANS ✔✔ANS: C
The mother should be instructed to attempt feeding her infant every 2 hours while massaging the
breasts as the infant is feeding. Skipping feedings may cause further swelling and discomfort. If the infant
does not adequately feed and empty the breast, then the mother may pump to extract the milk and
relieve some of the discomfort. Dehydration further irritates swollen breast tissue.
6. At a 2-month well-baby examination, it was discovered that an exclusively breastfed infant had only
gained 10 ounces in the past 4 weeks. The mother and the nurse develop a feeding plan for the infant to
increase his weight gain. Which change in dietary management will assist the client in meeting this goal?
a.
Begin solid foods.
b.
Have a bottle of formula after every feeding.
| COMPLETE MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A new mother recalls from prenatal class that she should try to feed her newborn daughter when she
exhibits feeding readiness cues rather than waiting until the baby is frantically crying. Which feeding cue
would indicate that the baby is ready to eat?
a.
Waves her arms in the air
b.
Makes sucking motions
c.
Has the hiccups
d.
Stretches out her legs straight - ANS ✔✔ANS: B
Sucking motions, rooting, mouthing, and hand-to-mouth motions are examples of feeding readiness
cues. Waving her arms in the air, having the hiccups, and stretching out her extremities are not typical
feeding readiness cues.
2. A pregnant woman wants to breastfeed her infant; however, her husband is not convinced that there
are any scientific reasons to do so. The nurse can give the couple printed information comparing
breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Which statement regarding bottle feeding using commercially
prepared infant formulas might influence their choice?
a.
Bottle feeding using a commercially prepared formula increases the risk that the infant will develop
allergies.
b.
Bottle feeding helps the infant sleep through the night.
c.
Commercially prepared formula ensures that the infant is getting iron in a form that is easily absorbed.
,d.
Bottle feeding requires that multivitamin supplements be given to the infant. - ANS ✔✔ANS: A
Exposure to cows milk poses a risk of developing allergies, eczema, and asthma. Newborns should be fed
during the night, regardless of the feeding method. Iron is better absorbed from breast milk than from
formula. Commercial formulas are designed to meet the nutritional needs of the infant and to resemble
breast milk. No supplements are necessary.
3. A postpartum woman telephones the provider regarding her 5-day-old infant. The client is not
scheduled for another weight check until the infant is 14 days old. The new mother is worried about
whether breastfeeding is going well. Which statement indicates that breastfeeding is effective for
meeting the infants nutritional needs?
a.
Sleeps for 6 hours at a time between feedings
b.
Has at least one breast milk stool every 24 hours
c.
Gains 1 to 2 ounces per week
d.
Has at least six to eight wet diapers per day - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
After day 4, when the mothers milk comes in, the infant should have six to eight wet diapers every 24
hours. Typically, infants sleep 2 to 4 hours between feedings, depending on whether they are being fed
on a 2- to 3-hour schedule or cluster-fed. The infants sleep pattern is not an indication whether the
infant is breastfeeding well. The infant should have a minimum of three bowel movements in a 24-hour
period. Breastfed infants typically gain 15 to 30 g/day.
4. A primiparous woman is delighted with her newborn son and wants to begin breastfeeding as soon as
possible. How should the client be instructed to position the infant to facilitate correct latch-on?
a.
The infant should be positioned with his or her arms folded together over the chest.
b.
The infant should be curled up in a fetal position.
, c.
The woman should cup the infants head in her hand.
d.
The infants head and body should be in alignment with the mother. - ANS ✔✔ANS: D
The infants head and body should be in correct alignment with the mother and the breast during latch-
on and feeding. The infant should be facing the mother with his arms hugging the breast. The babys
body should be held in correct alignment (i.e., ears, shoulder, and hips in a straight line) during feedings.
The mother should support the babys neck and shoulders with her hand and not push on the occiput.
5. A breastfeeding woman develops engorged breasts at 3 days postpartum. What action will help this
client achieve her goal of reducing the engorgement?
a.
Skip feedings to enable her sore breasts to rest.
b.
Avoid using a breast pump.
c.
Breastfeed her infant every 2 hours.
d.
Reduce her fluid intake for 24 hours. - ANS ✔✔ANS: C
The mother should be instructed to attempt feeding her infant every 2 hours while massaging the
breasts as the infant is feeding. Skipping feedings may cause further swelling and discomfort. If the infant
does not adequately feed and empty the breast, then the mother may pump to extract the milk and
relieve some of the discomfort. Dehydration further irritates swollen breast tissue.
6. At a 2-month well-baby examination, it was discovered that an exclusively breastfed infant had only
gained 10 ounces in the past 4 weeks. The mother and the nurse develop a feeding plan for the infant to
increase his weight gain. Which change in dietary management will assist the client in meeting this goal?
a.
Begin solid foods.
b.
Have a bottle of formula after every feeding.
