ATI Maternal Newborn | Newborn Assessment & Care Practice Exam
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to a
newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Apply the ointment from the outer canthus to the inner canthus.
B. Apply a thin ribbon of ointment to the lower conjunctival sac.
C. Flush the eyes with sterile water after application.
D. Administer the medication 24 hours after birth.
Answer: B
Rationale: Prophylactic eye treatment involves applying a thin ribbon of ointment to the
lower conjunctival sac of each eye within 1 to 2 hours after birth to prevent ophthalmia
neonatorum.
2. Which of the following is the primary reason for administering Vitamin K to a
newborn?
A. To stimulate the production of red blood cells.
B. To prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
C. To promote lung maturity.
D. To prevent vitamin deficiency in breastfed infants.
Answer: B
Rationale: Newborns are born with low levels of Vitamin K because it does not cross the
placenta well and the gut is sterile; Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting
factors.
,3. When suctioning a newborn with a bulb syringe, which of the following
sequences should the nurse follow?
A. Suction only if the infant is crying.
B. Suction the nose before the mouth.
C. Suction the throat before the mouth.
D. Suction the mouth before the nose.
Answer: D
Rationale: The mouth is suctioned first to prevent the newborn from aspirating fluid from
the oropharynx when the nares are touched, which triggers a gasp.
4. A nurse assesses a newborn’s respiratory rate. Which of the following ranges
is considered normal for a healthy term newborn?
A. 20 to 40 breaths per minute.
B. 40 to 80 breaths per minute.
C. 30 to 60 breaths per minute.
D. 15 to 30 breaths per minute.
Answer: C
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 30 to 60 breaths per minute, with
short periods of apnea (less than 15 seconds) being common.
5. A nurse notes a blue-black pigmented area on the newborn’s lumbosacral
region. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Nevus flammeus.
B. Telangiectatic nevi.
C. Mongolian spots.
D. Erythema toxicum.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Mongolian spots are flat, bluish-gray or black areas of pigmentation commonly
found on the back and buttocks of dark-skinned newborns; they are benign and usually
fade.
6. What is the expected heart rate range for a newborn who is awake and at
rest?
A. 110 to 160 beats per minute.
B. 80 to 100 beats per minute.
C. 140 to 180 beats per minute.
D. 100 to 120 beats per minute.
Answer: A
Rationale: A healthy newborn’s heart rate typically ranges from 110 to 160 beats per
minute while awake and resting.
7. Which heat loss mechanism occurs when a newborn is placed on a cold scale?
A. Conduction.
B. Radiation.
C. Evaporation.
D. Convection.
Answer: A
Rationale: Conduction is the loss of body heat from direct contact with a cooler surface.
8. A nurse is assessing a newborn for the Moro reflex. Which of the following
describes a normal response?
A. The infant turns the head toward the side that is touched.
B. The infant’s toes fan upward when the sole of the foot is stroked.
C. The infant’s arms and legs extend and then abduct in response to a sudden drop.
D. The infant attempts to walk when held upright with feet touching a surface.
Answer: C
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to a
newborn. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Apply the ointment from the outer canthus to the inner canthus.
B. Apply a thin ribbon of ointment to the lower conjunctival sac.
C. Flush the eyes with sterile water after application.
D. Administer the medication 24 hours after birth.
Answer: B
Rationale: Prophylactic eye treatment involves applying a thin ribbon of ointment to the
lower conjunctival sac of each eye within 1 to 2 hours after birth to prevent ophthalmia
neonatorum.
2. Which of the following is the primary reason for administering Vitamin K to a
newborn?
A. To stimulate the production of red blood cells.
B. To prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
C. To promote lung maturity.
D. To prevent vitamin deficiency in breastfed infants.
Answer: B
Rationale: Newborns are born with low levels of Vitamin K because it does not cross the
placenta well and the gut is sterile; Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting
factors.
,3. When suctioning a newborn with a bulb syringe, which of the following
sequences should the nurse follow?
A. Suction only if the infant is crying.
B. Suction the nose before the mouth.
C. Suction the throat before the mouth.
D. Suction the mouth before the nose.
Answer: D
Rationale: The mouth is suctioned first to prevent the newborn from aspirating fluid from
the oropharynx when the nares are touched, which triggers a gasp.
4. A nurse assesses a newborn’s respiratory rate. Which of the following ranges
is considered normal for a healthy term newborn?
A. 20 to 40 breaths per minute.
B. 40 to 80 breaths per minute.
C. 30 to 60 breaths per minute.
D. 15 to 30 breaths per minute.
Answer: C
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 30 to 60 breaths per minute, with
short periods of apnea (less than 15 seconds) being common.
5. A nurse notes a blue-black pigmented area on the newborn’s lumbosacral
region. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Nevus flammeus.
B. Telangiectatic nevi.
C. Mongolian spots.
D. Erythema toxicum.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Mongolian spots are flat, bluish-gray or black areas of pigmentation commonly
found on the back and buttocks of dark-skinned newborns; they are benign and usually
fade.
6. What is the expected heart rate range for a newborn who is awake and at
rest?
A. 110 to 160 beats per minute.
B. 80 to 100 beats per minute.
C. 140 to 180 beats per minute.
D. 100 to 120 beats per minute.
Answer: A
Rationale: A healthy newborn’s heart rate typically ranges from 110 to 160 beats per
minute while awake and resting.
7. Which heat loss mechanism occurs when a newborn is placed on a cold scale?
A. Conduction.
B. Radiation.
C. Evaporation.
D. Convection.
Answer: A
Rationale: Conduction is the loss of body heat from direct contact with a cooler surface.
8. A nurse is assessing a newborn for the Moro reflex. Which of the following
describes a normal response?
A. The infant turns the head toward the side that is touched.
B. The infant’s toes fan upward when the sole of the foot is stroked.
C. The infant’s arms and legs extend and then abduct in response to a sudden drop.
D. The infant attempts to walk when held upright with feet touching a surface.
Answer: C
