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HESI Newborn Assessment Exam
Bank: APGAR, Reflexes,
Thermoregulation & Safety Q&A
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: APGAR Scoring and Immediate Newborn Assessment..................2
Subtopic 2: Thermoregulation in the Newborn..............................................11
Subtopic 3: Newborn Safety Measures and Injury Prevention........................19
Subtopic 4: Common Newborn Reflexes and Neurological Indicators............27
Subtopic 5: Normal and Abnormal Newborn Respiratory and Cardiovascular
Adaptations....................................................................................................35
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Subtopic 1: APGAR Scoring and Immediate
Newborn Assessment
Question 1
A newborn has a heart rate of 110 bpm, cries strongly, moves actively, has a
pink body with blue extremities, and sneezes when suctioned. What is the
APGAR score?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Correct Answer: C. 8
Rationale:
HR >100 = 2
Respiratory effort (strong cry) = 2
Muscle tone (active movement) = 2
Reflex irritability (sneeze) = 2
Color (pink body, blue extremities) = 1
Total = 8
Question 2
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Which APGAR component assesses a newborn’s reflex irritability?
A. Respiratory effort
B. Muscle tone
C. Response to stimulation
D. Skin color
Correct Answer: C. Response to stimulation
Rationale: Reflex irritability refers to the response to stimuli like suctioning or
flicking the soles. This is tested in the APGAR under "grimace."
Question 3
At 1 minute of life, a newborn has a heart rate of 95 bpm, slow irregular
breathing, some flexion of extremities, a grimace when stimulated, and a
completely blue body. What is the APGAR score?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 7
Correct Answer: B. 4
Rationale:
HR <100 = 1
Respirations = 1
Muscle tone = 1
, 4
Reflex irritability = 1
Color (completely blue) = 0
Total = 4
Question 4
Which of the following is a priority action if a newborn scores 4 on the APGAR
at 1 minute?
A. Place baby under a radiant warmer
B. Wrap the baby in a blanket
C. Initiate resuscitation measures
D. Repeat APGAR in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: C. Initiate resuscitation measures
Rationale: A score of 4 indicates moderate depression. Immediate support
like oxygen and ventilation may be needed.
Question 5
A 5-minute APGAR score of 3 indicates:
A. Normal adaptation
B. Mild distress
C. Severe distress, requires immediate intervention
D. Prematurity
Correct Answer: C. Severe distress, requires immediate intervention
Rationale: APGAR <4 at 5 minutes is a medical emergency indicating need
for advanced resuscitation and NICU support.
HESI Newborn Assessment Exam
Bank: APGAR, Reflexes,
Thermoregulation & Safety Q&A
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: APGAR Scoring and Immediate Newborn Assessment..................2
Subtopic 2: Thermoregulation in the Newborn..............................................11
Subtopic 3: Newborn Safety Measures and Injury Prevention........................19
Subtopic 4: Common Newborn Reflexes and Neurological Indicators............27
Subtopic 5: Normal and Abnormal Newborn Respiratory and Cardiovascular
Adaptations....................................................................................................35
, 2
Subtopic 1: APGAR Scoring and Immediate
Newborn Assessment
Question 1
A newborn has a heart rate of 110 bpm, cries strongly, moves actively, has a
pink body with blue extremities, and sneezes when suctioned. What is the
APGAR score?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Correct Answer: C. 8
Rationale:
HR >100 = 2
Respiratory effort (strong cry) = 2
Muscle tone (active movement) = 2
Reflex irritability (sneeze) = 2
Color (pink body, blue extremities) = 1
Total = 8
Question 2
, 3
Which APGAR component assesses a newborn’s reflex irritability?
A. Respiratory effort
B. Muscle tone
C. Response to stimulation
D. Skin color
Correct Answer: C. Response to stimulation
Rationale: Reflex irritability refers to the response to stimuli like suctioning or
flicking the soles. This is tested in the APGAR under "grimace."
Question 3
At 1 minute of life, a newborn has a heart rate of 95 bpm, slow irregular
breathing, some flexion of extremities, a grimace when stimulated, and a
completely blue body. What is the APGAR score?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 7
Correct Answer: B. 4
Rationale:
HR <100 = 1
Respirations = 1
Muscle tone = 1
, 4
Reflex irritability = 1
Color (completely blue) = 0
Total = 4
Question 4
Which of the following is a priority action if a newborn scores 4 on the APGAR
at 1 minute?
A. Place baby under a radiant warmer
B. Wrap the baby in a blanket
C. Initiate resuscitation measures
D. Repeat APGAR in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: C. Initiate resuscitation measures
Rationale: A score of 4 indicates moderate depression. Immediate support
like oxygen and ventilation may be needed.
Question 5
A 5-minute APGAR score of 3 indicates:
A. Normal adaptation
B. Mild distress
C. Severe distress, requires immediate intervention
D. Prematurity
Correct Answer: C. Severe distress, requires immediate intervention
Rationale: APGAR <4 at 5 minutes is a medical emergency indicating need
for advanced resuscitation and NICU support.
