NICU Nursing Exam Questions with Correct Answers

NICU Nursing Exam Questions with Correct Answers What is the high risk neonate defined as? - Answer-A newborn, regardless of gestational age or birth weight, who has greater than average chance of morbidity or mortality d/t conditions associated with birth and the transition to extrauterine life. How is a high risk neonate classified by weight? - Answer--Low birth weight: 2500g -Very low birth weight: 1500g -Extremely low birth weight: 1000g How is a high risk neonate classified by growth? - Answer--Intrauterine growth restriction -Small for gestational age -Large for gestational age How is a high risk neonate classified by gestational age? - Answer--Premature infant: /= 36 6/7 weeks -Term infant: /= 37 0/7 weeks -Postmature infant: 42 weeks What are risk factors that increase the likelihood of NICU admission? - Answer-- Prematurity -Low birth weight -Birth depression -High risk pregnancy -Congenital anomalies What are risk factors for prematurity? - Answer--Teen pregnancy -Adavanced maternal age (35y) -Low SES -Drug/tobacco use -Hx of preterm birth -Multiple gestation -Obesity -DM -HTN -Maternal infection -Infertility tx What should the nurse understand about the neonatal resuscitation program? - Answer- -Geared towards deliveries and birth interventions, as many newborns require some assistance to begin breathing at birth -A smaller percentage require extensive resuscitative measures (compressions or meds) What are important questions to ask in terms of neonatal resuscitation? - Answer--Are they term? -Good tone? -Breathing/crying independently? -How big? What is included in post-resuscitation care in the NICU? - Answer--Thermoregulation -Glucose monitoring -Labs -X-ray -IVF -Management of lines and tubes -Monitor VS -Support family What should the nurse understand about thermoregulation in the neonate? - AnswerRisk for hypothermia -Large surface area to body size ratio -Decreased muscle mass -Decreased SQ fat (especially preterm and IUGR) -Inability to shiver -Giraffe beds and incubators What are the most common causes of respiratory distress in the neonate? - Answer-- Respiratory distress syndrome -Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) -Pneumothorax -Meconium aspiration syndrome -Congenital pneumonia What is respiratory distress syndrome defined as? - Answer-Respiratory difficulty in the first 3-6 hours of life, leading to progressive atelectasis, hypoxia, and hypoventilation Etiology: Surfactant deficiency, preventing lungs from opening up properly to oxygenate