NICU Nursing Exam Questions and Answers
with Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What is a high risk neonate? a newborn, regardless of gestational age
or birth
weight, who has greater than average
chance of
morbidity or mortality due to conditions
associated
with birth and the transition to extrauterine
life
How do we classify high risk Weight
neonates? Growth
Gestational Age
What is considered a low birth <2500 grams
weight of a high risk neonate?
What is considered a very low <1500 grams
birth
weight of a high risk neonate?
What is considered an extremely <1000 grams
low
birth weight for a high risk
neonate?
,What are the growth classifications -intrauterine growth restriction (how they
of a high risk neonate? were
growing in utero)
-small for gestational age (can have
normal growth
but still just small, <10%)
-large for gestational age (>90%)
What are the 3 gestational age -premature infant </= 36 6/7 weeks
classifications of a high risk -Term infant >/= 37 0/7 weeks
neonate? -Post-mature infant >42 weeks gestation
What are the NICU risk factors? -prematurity
-low birth weight- may just be too small to
stay
warm
-birth depression
-high risk pregnancy
-congenital anomalies
What are the risk factors for -teen pregnancy
prematurity -advanced maternal age (>35)
-low socioeconomic status
-drug use and tobacco use
-history of preterm birth
-multiple gestation (twins, triplets)
-obesity
-diabetes
-hypertension
-infection (moms PROM, UTI, viral
infection)
-infertility treatments: IVF, multiple babies
, What do we need to know -neonatal resuscitation program (NRP)
regarding -about 10% of newborns require some
neonatal resuscitation? assistance to
begin breathing at birth
-less than 1% require extensive
resuscitative
measures, such as cardiac compressions
or
medications
-every birth should be attended by 1
person who
can perform initial steps of newborn
resuscitation
and PPV (someone to preform bag and
mask)
What are the important questions What's their gestation?
we -are they term? premature?
need to ask regarding neonatal What's their tone?
resuscitation? -crying and such they don't need
resuscitation, or
are they floppy?
Are they breathing or crying?
-crying baby is a breathing baby
What does post resuscitation care -thermoregulation
in -monitor glucose- heel sticks
the NICU consist of? -Labs
-X-ray
-IV fluids
-management of lines and tubes
-monitor vital signs (continuous ECG)
-support family**- especially for those who
expected normal healthy baby
with Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What is a high risk neonate? a newborn, regardless of gestational age
or birth
weight, who has greater than average
chance of
morbidity or mortality due to conditions
associated
with birth and the transition to extrauterine
life
How do we classify high risk Weight
neonates? Growth
Gestational Age
What is considered a low birth <2500 grams
weight of a high risk neonate?
What is considered a very low <1500 grams
birth
weight of a high risk neonate?
What is considered an extremely <1000 grams
low
birth weight for a high risk
neonate?
,What are the growth classifications -intrauterine growth restriction (how they
of a high risk neonate? were
growing in utero)
-small for gestational age (can have
normal growth
but still just small, <10%)
-large for gestational age (>90%)
What are the 3 gestational age -premature infant </= 36 6/7 weeks
classifications of a high risk -Term infant >/= 37 0/7 weeks
neonate? -Post-mature infant >42 weeks gestation
What are the NICU risk factors? -prematurity
-low birth weight- may just be too small to
stay
warm
-birth depression
-high risk pregnancy
-congenital anomalies
What are the risk factors for -teen pregnancy
prematurity -advanced maternal age (>35)
-low socioeconomic status
-drug use and tobacco use
-history of preterm birth
-multiple gestation (twins, triplets)
-obesity
-diabetes
-hypertension
-infection (moms PROM, UTI, viral
infection)
-infertility treatments: IVF, multiple babies
, What do we need to know -neonatal resuscitation program (NRP)
regarding -about 10% of newborns require some
neonatal resuscitation? assistance to
begin breathing at birth
-less than 1% require extensive
resuscitative
measures, such as cardiac compressions
or
medications
-every birth should be attended by 1
person who
can perform initial steps of newborn
resuscitation
and PPV (someone to preform bag and
mask)
What are the important questions What's their gestation?
we -are they term? premature?
need to ask regarding neonatal What's their tone?
resuscitation? -crying and such they don't need
resuscitation, or
are they floppy?
Are they breathing or crying?
-crying baby is a breathing baby
What does post resuscitation care -thermoregulation
in -monitor glucose- heel sticks
the NICU consist of? -Labs
-X-ray
-IV fluids
-management of lines and tubes
-monitor vital signs (continuous ECG)
-support family**- especially for those who
expected normal healthy baby