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RNC-LRN® Practice Questions – Original Questions 1-175 with Answers and
Detailed Rationales UPDATED!!!!!!
1. A 34-week gestation infant is admitted to the low-risk
nursery. The infant is in an open crib and maintaining
temperature. The neonatal nurse should:
A) Bathe the infant immediately
B) Monitor temperature every 3-4 hours and assess for signs
of cold stress
C) Place the infant under a radiant warmer
D) Discontinue temperature monitoring
Answer: B) Monitor temperature every 3-4 hours and assess
for signs of cold stress
Rationale: Low-risk infants in open cribs require ongoing
temperature monitoring to ensure they maintain
normothermia. Signs of cold stress include decreased
temperature, mottling, lethargy, and poor feeding. Bathing
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should be delayed until temperature is stable. A radiant
warmer is not needed if the infant is maintaining
temperature. Temperature monitoring should not be
discontinued until discharge criteria are met.
2. A 36-week gestation infant is 12 hours old and has a
bilirubin of 8 mg/dL. The neonatal nurse should:
A) Initiate phototherapy immediately
B) Recognize that this is within the low-risk range and
continue routine monitoring
C) Prepare for exchange transfusion
D) Discontinue all bilirubin monitoring
Answer: B) Recognize that this is within the low-risk range
and continue routine monitoring
Rationale: For a 36-week infant at 12 hours of age, a bilirubin
of 8 mg/dL is below the phototherapy threshold. Routine
monitoring should continue with follow-up bilirubin levels as
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clinically indicated. Phototherapy is not indicated at this
level. Exchange transfusion is for severe hyperbilirubinemia.
3. A 35-week gestation infant is being fed expressed breast
milk. The neonatal nurse should teach the mother to:
A) Discard the breast milk after 24 hours
B) Store breast milk properly and label with date and time
C) Microwave the breast milk before feeding
D) Leave breast milk at room temperature for 8 hours
Answer: B) Store breast milk properly and label with date
and time
Rationale: Breast milk should be stored properly
(refrigerated for up to 4-5 days, frozen for longer periods)
and labeled with date and time. Breast milk should not be
microwaved as it can create hot spots and destroy nutrients.
Fresh breast milk can remain at room temperature for up to
4-6 hours, not 8 hours.
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4. A term infant is 24 hours old and has not voided. The
neonatal nurse should:
A) No intervention needed
B) Assess for signs of dehydration and continue to monitor
urine output
C) Administer diuretics
D) Prepare for dialysis
Answer: B) Assess for signs of dehydration and continue to
monitor urine output
Rationale: Most term infants void within the first 24 hours of
life. If the infant has not voided by 24 hours, the nurse
should assess for signs of dehydration (decreased urine
output, sunken fontanelle, dry mucous membranes, weight
loss) and continue to monitor. Diuretics and dialysis are not
indicated without further evaluation.
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RNC-LRN® Practice Questions – Original Questions 1-175 with Answers and
Detailed Rationales UPDATED!!!!!!
1. A 34-week gestation infant is admitted to the low-risk
nursery. The infant is in an open crib and maintaining
temperature. The neonatal nurse should:
A) Bathe the infant immediately
B) Monitor temperature every 3-4 hours and assess for signs
of cold stress
C) Place the infant under a radiant warmer
D) Discontinue temperature monitoring
Answer: B) Monitor temperature every 3-4 hours and assess
for signs of cold stress
Rationale: Low-risk infants in open cribs require ongoing
temperature monitoring to ensure they maintain
normothermia. Signs of cold stress include decreased
temperature, mottling, lethargy, and poor feeding. Bathing
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should be delayed until temperature is stable. A radiant
warmer is not needed if the infant is maintaining
temperature. Temperature monitoring should not be
discontinued until discharge criteria are met.
2. A 36-week gestation infant is 12 hours old and has a
bilirubin of 8 mg/dL. The neonatal nurse should:
A) Initiate phototherapy immediately
B) Recognize that this is within the low-risk range and
continue routine monitoring
C) Prepare for exchange transfusion
D) Discontinue all bilirubin monitoring
Answer: B) Recognize that this is within the low-risk range
and continue routine monitoring
Rationale: For a 36-week infant at 12 hours of age, a bilirubin
of 8 mg/dL is below the phototherapy threshold. Routine
monitoring should continue with follow-up bilirubin levels as
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clinically indicated. Phototherapy is not indicated at this
level. Exchange transfusion is for severe hyperbilirubinemia.
3. A 35-week gestation infant is being fed expressed breast
milk. The neonatal nurse should teach the mother to:
A) Discard the breast milk after 24 hours
B) Store breast milk properly and label with date and time
C) Microwave the breast milk before feeding
D) Leave breast milk at room temperature for 8 hours
Answer: B) Store breast milk properly and label with date
and time
Rationale: Breast milk should be stored properly
(refrigerated for up to 4-5 days, frozen for longer periods)
and labeled with date and time. Breast milk should not be
microwaved as it can create hot spots and destroy nutrients.
Fresh breast milk can remain at room temperature for up to
4-6 hours, not 8 hours.
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4. A term infant is 24 hours old and has not voided. The
neonatal nurse should:
A) No intervention needed
B) Assess for signs of dehydration and continue to monitor
urine output
C) Administer diuretics
D) Prepare for dialysis
Answer: B) Assess for signs of dehydration and continue to
monitor urine output
Rationale: Most term infants void within the first 24 hours of
life. If the infant has not voided by 24 hours, the nurse
should assess for signs of dehydration (decreased urine
output, sunken fontanelle, dry mucous membranes, weight
loss) and continue to monitor. Diuretics and dialysis are not
indicated without further evaluation.
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