Tappero & Honeyfield’s Physical Assessment
of the Newborn – A Comprehensive Approach
to the Art of Physical Examination 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 newborn is being assessed shortly after delivery. Which
approach is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive
physical examination?
A. Immediately perform painful reflex testing
B. Begin with the most invasive examination procedures
C. Observe the newborn's general appearance and behavioral
state before proceeding
D. Complete the neurologic examination before obtaining any
history
Answer: C. Observe the newborn's general appearance and
behavioral state before proceeding
,Rationale: Initial observation provides important information
about respiratory effort, color, posture, activity, tone, and
behavioral state before the infant is disturbed by hands-on
examination. Establishing the newborn's state also helps the
examiner interpret subsequent findings accurately. A newborn
who is crying vigorously may have different respiratory and
cardiovascular findings from one who is quietly resting.
Beginning with observation is therefore an important
component of a systematic and minimally disruptive
assessment.
Question 2
During a newborn examination, the nurse wants to obtain the
most accurate respiratory rate. Which technique is best?
A. Count respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by four
B. Count respirations for 30 seconds and multiply by two
C. Count respirations for a full minute while observing
abdominal movement
D. Count only audible respirations
Answer: C. Count respirations for a full minute while
observing abdominal movement
Rationale: Newborn respirations are often irregular, with
periods of variable rate and brief pauses. Counting for a
,complete minute reduces the chance of inaccurately estimating
the respiratory rate. Because newborn breathing is frequently
diaphragmatic, observing abdominal movement can be more
reliable than relying solely on chest movement or audible
sounds.
Question 3
A newborn's mother asks why the clinician is asking detailed
questions about pregnancy, labor, medications, and family
history. Which response is most appropriate?
A. "These questions are required only for documentation."
B. "The information helps identify factors that may influence
your baby's current health and future evaluation."
C. "The questions are mainly used to determine whether the
delivery was performed correctly."
D. "The information is needed only if your baby appears ill."
Answer: B. "The information helps identify factors that may
influence your baby's current health and future evaluation."
Rationale: A comprehensive neonatal history provides essential
context for interpreting examination findings. Maternal
illnesses, medications, infections, genetic history, antenatal
testing, labor events, and delivery complications may affect
neonatal adaptation and the risk of specific conditions. The
, history is therefore clinically relevant even when the newborn
initially appears healthy.
Question 4
Which maternal condition places a newborn at increased risk
for hypoglycemia and requires particular attention during the
newborn assessment?
A. Seasonal allergic rhinitis
B. Maternal diabetes
C. Mild pregnancy-related nausea during the first trimester
D. Maternal myopia
Answer: B. Maternal diabetes
Rationale: Infants of mothers with diabetes may have increased
insulin production in response to maternal hyperglycemia
during pregnancy. After birth, maternal glucose supply abruptly
stops while neonatal insulin levels may remain elevated,
creating a risk for hypoglycemia. These newborns may also
have other complications requiring assessment, including
abnormal growth patterns and respiratory or metabolic
problems.
Question 5
of the Newborn – A Comprehensive Approach
to the Art of Physical Examination 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 newborn is being assessed shortly after delivery. Which
approach is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive
physical examination?
A. Immediately perform painful reflex testing
B. Begin with the most invasive examination procedures
C. Observe the newborn's general appearance and behavioral
state before proceeding
D. Complete the neurologic examination before obtaining any
history
Answer: C. Observe the newborn's general appearance and
behavioral state before proceeding
,Rationale: Initial observation provides important information
about respiratory effort, color, posture, activity, tone, and
behavioral state before the infant is disturbed by hands-on
examination. Establishing the newborn's state also helps the
examiner interpret subsequent findings accurately. A newborn
who is crying vigorously may have different respiratory and
cardiovascular findings from one who is quietly resting.
Beginning with observation is therefore an important
component of a systematic and minimally disruptive
assessment.
Question 2
During a newborn examination, the nurse wants to obtain the
most accurate respiratory rate. Which technique is best?
A. Count respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by four
B. Count respirations for 30 seconds and multiply by two
C. Count respirations for a full minute while observing
abdominal movement
D. Count only audible respirations
Answer: C. Count respirations for a full minute while
observing abdominal movement
Rationale: Newborn respirations are often irregular, with
periods of variable rate and brief pauses. Counting for a
,complete minute reduces the chance of inaccurately estimating
the respiratory rate. Because newborn breathing is frequently
diaphragmatic, observing abdominal movement can be more
reliable than relying solely on chest movement or audible
sounds.
Question 3
A newborn's mother asks why the clinician is asking detailed
questions about pregnancy, labor, medications, and family
history. Which response is most appropriate?
A. "These questions are required only for documentation."
B. "The information helps identify factors that may influence
your baby's current health and future evaluation."
C. "The questions are mainly used to determine whether the
delivery was performed correctly."
D. "The information is needed only if your baby appears ill."
Answer: B. "The information helps identify factors that may
influence your baby's current health and future evaluation."
Rationale: A comprehensive neonatal history provides essential
context for interpreting examination findings. Maternal
illnesses, medications, infections, genetic history, antenatal
testing, labor events, and delivery complications may affect
neonatal adaptation and the risk of specific conditions. The
, history is therefore clinically relevant even when the newborn
initially appears healthy.
Question 4
Which maternal condition places a newborn at increased risk
for hypoglycemia and requires particular attention during the
newborn assessment?
A. Seasonal allergic rhinitis
B. Maternal diabetes
C. Mild pregnancy-related nausea during the first trimester
D. Maternal myopia
Answer: B. Maternal diabetes
Rationale: Infants of mothers with diabetes may have increased
insulin production in response to maternal hyperglycemia
during pregnancy. After birth, maternal glucose supply abruptly
stops while neonatal insulin levels may remain elevated,
creating a risk for hypoglycemia. These newborns may also
have other complications requiring assessment, including
abnormal growth patterns and respiratory or metabolic
problems.
Question 5
