NICU Nurse Core Review, NICU Study Guide
Exam Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
ductus arteriosus (what is it, what blood vessel in fetal heart between
does it do, and why?) pulmonary
artery and aorta; shunts blood from right to
left
due to high pulmonary vascular resistance
allows most of blood coming from r.
ventricle to
bypass lungs (which are not functioning in
fetus)
foramen ovale hole connecting the atria in fetal heart;
shunts
blood from right to left (due to high
pulmonary
vascular resistance)
acts as another route for blood to bypass
the lungs
(along with ductus arteriosis)
purpose of surfactant in lungs reduces surface tension in the alveolar
fluid
- air (CO2/O2) has to travel through layer
of fluid in
order to diffuse
, oxygen saturation monitoring upper right arm (preductal location)
location for neonatal resuscitation 1 min: 60-65%
& 2 min: 65-70%
O2 sat %'s after birth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3 min: 70-75%
and 4 min: 75-80%
10 mins) 5 min: 80-85%
10 min: 85-90%
oxygen saturation monitoring bottom of foot
location (long term NICU stay, not or
neonatal resuscitation) fleshy part of palm of right hand
most important FHR characteristic variability
indicating fetal oxygenation accelerations are also important in
status? reflecting
normal autonomic regulation of FHR
(oxygenation)
FHR baseline range 110-160 BPM
two main causes of deccelerations 1) autonomic slowing of FHR in response
to to
changes in blood pressure, blood gases,
and other
possible factors
2) direct FHR lowering resulting from
disrupted
oxygen disruption
BPP (biophysical profile) 5 - fetal tone, fetal movement, fetal
variables breathing, fetal
reactivity (NST), and amniotic fluid volume
Exam Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
ductus arteriosus (what is it, what blood vessel in fetal heart between
does it do, and why?) pulmonary
artery and aorta; shunts blood from right to
left
due to high pulmonary vascular resistance
allows most of blood coming from r.
ventricle to
bypass lungs (which are not functioning in
fetus)
foramen ovale hole connecting the atria in fetal heart;
shunts
blood from right to left (due to high
pulmonary
vascular resistance)
acts as another route for blood to bypass
the lungs
(along with ductus arteriosis)
purpose of surfactant in lungs reduces surface tension in the alveolar
fluid
- air (CO2/O2) has to travel through layer
of fluid in
order to diffuse
, oxygen saturation monitoring upper right arm (preductal location)
location for neonatal resuscitation 1 min: 60-65%
& 2 min: 65-70%
O2 sat %'s after birth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 3 min: 70-75%
and 4 min: 75-80%
10 mins) 5 min: 80-85%
10 min: 85-90%
oxygen saturation monitoring bottom of foot
location (long term NICU stay, not or
neonatal resuscitation) fleshy part of palm of right hand
most important FHR characteristic variability
indicating fetal oxygenation accelerations are also important in
status? reflecting
normal autonomic regulation of FHR
(oxygenation)
FHR baseline range 110-160 BPM
two main causes of deccelerations 1) autonomic slowing of FHR in response
to to
changes in blood pressure, blood gases,
and other
possible factors
2) direct FHR lowering resulting from
disrupted
oxygen disruption
BPP (biophysical profile) 5 - fetal tone, fetal movement, fetal
variables breathing, fetal
reactivity (NST), and amniotic fluid volume
