NICU/PICU Exam Questions and Answers
with Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Apgar Scores Scoring system to assess clinical status of
newborn
at 0, 1, 5 (and sometimes 10) minutes after
delivery.
Measures: color, HR, reflex irritability,
muscle tone,
respiration.
Interpretation
≤ 3: critically low
4-6: fairly low
7-10: normal
Newborn screening Initial screen for congenital disease (eg.
cystic
fibrosis)
-- Heel-stick blood spots
Newborn Meds Eyes and Thighs
Eyes: ophthalmic erythromycin to prevent
conjunctivitis
Thighs: IM phytonadione (vitamin K) to
prevent
bleeding. First dose of Hep B
, Neonatal Sepsis Presence of signs and symptoms
suggestive of
systemic infection together with pathogenic
organisms cultured from the blood
EOS - occurs within the first 3 days of life.
Thought
to be acquired perinatally from mother's
genital-
fecal flora
LOS - occurs after first 3 days of life. Could
be from
postnatal contact with caregivers or from
nosocomial sources
Risk factors: Maternal Hx - fetal distress
- GBS colonization
- infection (UTI)
- chorioamionitis (intra-amniotic infection)
Risk factors: Neonatal Birth Hx - APGAR score < 6
- low birth weight
- prematurity
- traumatic delivery
- immature immunity
with Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Apgar Scores Scoring system to assess clinical status of
newborn
at 0, 1, 5 (and sometimes 10) minutes after
delivery.
Measures: color, HR, reflex irritability,
muscle tone,
respiration.
Interpretation
≤ 3: critically low
4-6: fairly low
7-10: normal
Newborn screening Initial screen for congenital disease (eg.
cystic
fibrosis)
-- Heel-stick blood spots
Newborn Meds Eyes and Thighs
Eyes: ophthalmic erythromycin to prevent
conjunctivitis
Thighs: IM phytonadione (vitamin K) to
prevent
bleeding. First dose of Hep B
, Neonatal Sepsis Presence of signs and symptoms
suggestive of
systemic infection together with pathogenic
organisms cultured from the blood
EOS - occurs within the first 3 days of life.
Thought
to be acquired perinatally from mother's
genital-
fecal flora
LOS - occurs after first 3 days of life. Could
be from
postnatal contact with caregivers or from
nosocomial sources
Risk factors: Maternal Hx - fetal distress
- GBS colonization
- infection (UTI)
- chorioamionitis (intra-amniotic infection)
Risk factors: Neonatal Birth Hx - APGAR score < 6
- low birth weight
- prematurity
- traumatic delivery
- immature immunity
