Neonatal Nursing Test Bank 2026 – Neonatal
Nursing Full Official Name Practice Exam
2026/2027 Practice Questions & Study Guide |
Complete Exam-Style Questions with Correct
Detailed Answers & Rationales (Reliable
Answers) | Latest Updated Version | Instant
Download PDf
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a term newborn 30 minutes after birth.
Which finding requires the most immediate nursing
intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 48/minute
B. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C. Central cyanosis of the lips and tongue
D. Heart rate of 142/minute
Correct Answer: C. Central cyanosis of the lips and tongue
Central cyanosis involving the lips and tongue suggests
inadequate oxygenation and is not an expected transitional
finding in a newborn. Acrocyanosis, in contrast, can be normal
,during the first several hours after birth as peripheral circulation
adapts. A respiratory rate of 48/minute and a heart rate of
142/minute are within expected neonatal ranges. Central
cyanosis should prompt immediate assessment of airway,
breathing, oxygenation, circulation, and possible
cardiopulmonary pathology.
Question 2
A newborn is receiving phototherapy for unconjugated
hyperbilirubinemia. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep the newborn fully clothed to prevent heat loss
B. Protect the newborn's eyes while maximizing exposed skin
C. Apply lotion to the skin every hour
D. Stop feeding the newborn during phototherapy
Correct Answer: B. Protect the newborn's eyes while
maximizing exposed skin
Phototherapy works by exposing bilirubin in the skin to
therapeutic light, facilitating its conversion into forms that can
be eliminated more readily. The newborn should therefore have
as much skin exposed as clinically appropriate while the eyes
are protected according to the equipment and institutional
protocol. Feeding should generally be continued and supported
,because adequate hydration and stooling assist bilirubin
elimination. Routine lotions or oils may interfere with treatment
or increase the risk of skin-related complications and are not
routinely indicated.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a preterm infant who develops apnea
lasting 25 seconds accompanied by bradycardia and oxygen
desaturation. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Begin oral feeding
B. Place the infant in a prone position
C. Provide gentle tactile stimulation and assess the infant's
airway and breathing
D. Administer a rapid intravenous fluid bolus
Correct Answer: C. Provide gentle tactile stimulation and
assess the infant's airway and breathing
Apnea of prematurity is associated with immature respiratory
control and may be accompanied by bradycardia and oxygen
desaturation. The immediate nursing response is to assess
airway and breathing and provide gentle tactile stimulation
when appropriate. If the infant does not respond or has
significant respiratory compromise, assisted ventilation may be
required according to neonatal resuscitation principles. Oral
, feeding is inappropriate during an unstable respiratory episode,
and a prone position is not the immediate treatment for apnea.
Question 4
Which newborn is at greatest risk for hypoglycemia?
A. A healthy appropriate-for-gestational-age term newborn
B. An infant of a mother with diabetes
C. A term newborn whose mother received epidural analgesia
D. A newborn with physiologic jaundice on day 3
Correct Answer: B. An infant of a mother with diabetes
Infants of mothers with diabetes are at increased risk for
neonatal hypoglycemia because maternal hyperglycemia can
stimulate fetal pancreatic insulin production. After birth, the
maternal glucose supply abruptly stops while the infant may
continue to have relatively high insulin levels, causing blood
glucose to fall. These newborns require appropriate glucose
monitoring and feeding or treatment according to clinical
condition and institutional protocol.
Question 5
A newborn's temperature is 35.8°C (96.4°F). Which
physiological response is most concerning?
Nursing Full Official Name Practice Exam
2026/2027 Practice Questions & Study Guide |
Complete Exam-Style Questions with Correct
Detailed Answers & Rationales (Reliable
Answers) | Latest Updated Version | Instant
Download PDf
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a term newborn 30 minutes after birth.
Which finding requires the most immediate nursing
intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 48/minute
B. Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet
C. Central cyanosis of the lips and tongue
D. Heart rate of 142/minute
Correct Answer: C. Central cyanosis of the lips and tongue
Central cyanosis involving the lips and tongue suggests
inadequate oxygenation and is not an expected transitional
finding in a newborn. Acrocyanosis, in contrast, can be normal
,during the first several hours after birth as peripheral circulation
adapts. A respiratory rate of 48/minute and a heart rate of
142/minute are within expected neonatal ranges. Central
cyanosis should prompt immediate assessment of airway,
breathing, oxygenation, circulation, and possible
cardiopulmonary pathology.
Question 2
A newborn is receiving phototherapy for unconjugated
hyperbilirubinemia. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep the newborn fully clothed to prevent heat loss
B. Protect the newborn's eyes while maximizing exposed skin
C. Apply lotion to the skin every hour
D. Stop feeding the newborn during phototherapy
Correct Answer: B. Protect the newborn's eyes while
maximizing exposed skin
Phototherapy works by exposing bilirubin in the skin to
therapeutic light, facilitating its conversion into forms that can
be eliminated more readily. The newborn should therefore have
as much skin exposed as clinically appropriate while the eyes
are protected according to the equipment and institutional
protocol. Feeding should generally be continued and supported
,because adequate hydration and stooling assist bilirubin
elimination. Routine lotions or oils may interfere with treatment
or increase the risk of skin-related complications and are not
routinely indicated.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a preterm infant who develops apnea
lasting 25 seconds accompanied by bradycardia and oxygen
desaturation. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Begin oral feeding
B. Place the infant in a prone position
C. Provide gentle tactile stimulation and assess the infant's
airway and breathing
D. Administer a rapid intravenous fluid bolus
Correct Answer: C. Provide gentle tactile stimulation and
assess the infant's airway and breathing
Apnea of prematurity is associated with immature respiratory
control and may be accompanied by bradycardia and oxygen
desaturation. The immediate nursing response is to assess
airway and breathing and provide gentle tactile stimulation
when appropriate. If the infant does not respond or has
significant respiratory compromise, assisted ventilation may be
required according to neonatal resuscitation principles. Oral
, feeding is inappropriate during an unstable respiratory episode,
and a prone position is not the immediate treatment for apnea.
Question 4
Which newborn is at greatest risk for hypoglycemia?
A. A healthy appropriate-for-gestational-age term newborn
B. An infant of a mother with diabetes
C. A term newborn whose mother received epidural analgesia
D. A newborn with physiologic jaundice on day 3
Correct Answer: B. An infant of a mother with diabetes
Infants of mothers with diabetes are at increased risk for
neonatal hypoglycemia because maternal hyperglycemia can
stimulate fetal pancreatic insulin production. After birth, the
maternal glucose supply abruptly stops while the infant may
continue to have relatively high insulin levels, causing blood
glucose to fall. These newborns require appropriate glucose
monitoring and feeding or treatment according to clinical
condition and institutional protocol.
Question 5
A newborn's temperature is 35.8°C (96.4°F). Which
physiological response is most concerning?
