Neonatal Respiratory Disorders ACTUAL
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
A neonate is born prematurely and shows tachypnea, grunting, and nasal flaring. What is the
likely diagnosis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ The likely diagnosis is Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
RDS is common in preterm infants due to immature lungs and insufficient surfactant
production. Surfactant helps keep alveoli open, and its deficiency leads to alveolar collapse,
impaired gas exchange, and hypoxia. Clinical signs include grunting, nasal flaring,
retractions, cyanosis, and tachypnea. Management involves oxygen therapy, surfactant
administration, and mechanical ventilation if necessary. Nurses must monitor vital signs,
oxygen saturation, and blood gases closely, while also supporting thermoregulation and
preventing infection. Early recognition and intervention improve survival and reduce
complications like bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
What is Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN), and how is it managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ TTN is a self-limiting respiratory disorder caused by delayed
clearance of fetal lung fluid. It usually occurs in term or late preterm infants, often after
cesarean delivery. Clinical signs include rapid breathing, mild grunting, nasal flaring, and
mild cyanosis. Diagnosis is often confirmed with chest X-ray showing fluid in the lung
fissures. Management is supportive, including oxygen therapy if needed, monitoring, and
ensuring proper hydration. TTN generally resolves within 24–72 hours without long-term
complications. Nurses play a critical role in monitoring respiratory status and providing
reassurance to the family.
How does Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) occur in neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ MAS occurs when a neonate inhales meconium-stained
amniotic fluid during or before birth. This can obstruct airways, cause chemical pneumonitis,
and lead to hypoxia. Signs include tachypnea, grunting, retractions, cyanosis, and barrel-
shaped chest. Management involves suctioning the airway immediately after birth, oxygen
therapy, and mechanical ventilation if needed. Nurses must monitor oxygen saturation, blood
gases, and signs of respiratory distress. Early intervention improves oxygenation and reduces
the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension and long-term lung damage.
What are the causes and management of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
(PPHN)?
, CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ PPHN occurs when pulmonary vascular resistance remains high
after birth, causing right-to-left shunting and severe hypoxemia. Causes include meconium
aspiration, sepsis, asphyxia, or congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Clinical signs include
cyanosis, tachypnea, and poor perfusion. Management focuses on optimizing oxygenation,
ventilatory support, and medications such as inhaled nitric oxide. Nurses monitor blood
gases, oxygen saturation, and vital signs closely. Early recognition and intervention improve
survival and reduce long-term complications like chronic lung disease.
A preterm neonate has poor lung compliance and hypoxemia shortly after birth. What therapy
is indicated?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Surfactant therapy is indicated. Surfactant reduces surface
tension in the alveoli, improving lung expansion and gas exchange. Administration is usually
via endotracheal tube in neonates with RDS. Nurses must monitor oxygen saturation, vital
signs, and ventilator settings during and after administration. Supportive care includes
thermoregulation, infection prevention, and fluid management. Early surfactant therapy
significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
How should a nurse manage a neonate with Apnea of Prematurity?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Apnea of prematurity is pauses in breathing longer than 20
seconds in preterm infants due to immature respiratory control. Clinical signs include
bradycardia, cyanosis, and hypoxia during episodes. Management involves continuous
monitoring, tactile stimulation during apnea, and medications such as caffeine citrate to
stimulate respiratory drive. Oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation may be needed for
severe cases. Nurses should document episodes carefully and educate parents. Proper care
reduces the risk of hypoxic injury and supports neurodevelopment.
What nursing interventions are important for neonates on mechanical ventilation?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Nurses should monitor ventilator settings, oxygen saturation,
blood gases, and vital signs continuously. Ensure proper endotracheal tube placement and
prevent accidental extubation. Suction the airway as needed to maintain patency and prevent
obstruction. Monitor for complications such as pneumothorax, ventilator-associated
pneumonia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Provide thermoregulation, pain management,
and support nutrition. Vigilant monitoring ensures effective ventilation and prevents
secondary complications.
How does Neonatal Pneumothorax present, and what is the role of the nurse?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the
pleural space, causing lung collapse. Signs include sudden respiratory distress, tachypnea,
cyanosis, decreased breath sounds, and asymmetric chest movement. Management may
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
A neonate is born prematurely and shows tachypnea, grunting, and nasal flaring. What is the
likely diagnosis?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ The likely diagnosis is Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
RDS is common in preterm infants due to immature lungs and insufficient surfactant
production. Surfactant helps keep alveoli open, and its deficiency leads to alveolar collapse,
impaired gas exchange, and hypoxia. Clinical signs include grunting, nasal flaring,
retractions, cyanosis, and tachypnea. Management involves oxygen therapy, surfactant
administration, and mechanical ventilation if necessary. Nurses must monitor vital signs,
oxygen saturation, and blood gases closely, while also supporting thermoregulation and
preventing infection. Early recognition and intervention improve survival and reduce
complications like bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
What is Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN), and how is it managed?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ TTN is a self-limiting respiratory disorder caused by delayed
clearance of fetal lung fluid. It usually occurs in term or late preterm infants, often after
cesarean delivery. Clinical signs include rapid breathing, mild grunting, nasal flaring, and
mild cyanosis. Diagnosis is often confirmed with chest X-ray showing fluid in the lung
fissures. Management is supportive, including oxygen therapy if needed, monitoring, and
ensuring proper hydration. TTN generally resolves within 24–72 hours without long-term
complications. Nurses play a critical role in monitoring respiratory status and providing
reassurance to the family.
How does Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) occur in neonates?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ MAS occurs when a neonate inhales meconium-stained
amniotic fluid during or before birth. This can obstruct airways, cause chemical pneumonitis,
and lead to hypoxia. Signs include tachypnea, grunting, retractions, cyanosis, and barrel-
shaped chest. Management involves suctioning the airway immediately after birth, oxygen
therapy, and mechanical ventilation if needed. Nurses must monitor oxygen saturation, blood
gases, and signs of respiratory distress. Early intervention improves oxygenation and reduces
the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension and long-term lung damage.
What are the causes and management of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
(PPHN)?
, CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ PPHN occurs when pulmonary vascular resistance remains high
after birth, causing right-to-left shunting and severe hypoxemia. Causes include meconium
aspiration, sepsis, asphyxia, or congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Clinical signs include
cyanosis, tachypnea, and poor perfusion. Management focuses on optimizing oxygenation,
ventilatory support, and medications such as inhaled nitric oxide. Nurses monitor blood
gases, oxygen saturation, and vital signs closely. Early recognition and intervention improve
survival and reduce long-term complications like chronic lung disease.
A preterm neonate has poor lung compliance and hypoxemia shortly after birth. What therapy
is indicated?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Surfactant therapy is indicated. Surfactant reduces surface
tension in the alveoli, improving lung expansion and gas exchange. Administration is usually
via endotracheal tube in neonates with RDS. Nurses must monitor oxygen saturation, vital
signs, and ventilator settings during and after administration. Supportive care includes
thermoregulation, infection prevention, and fluid management. Early surfactant therapy
significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
How should a nurse manage a neonate with Apnea of Prematurity?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Apnea of prematurity is pauses in breathing longer than 20
seconds in preterm infants due to immature respiratory control. Clinical signs include
bradycardia, cyanosis, and hypoxia during episodes. Management involves continuous
monitoring, tactile stimulation during apnea, and medications such as caffeine citrate to
stimulate respiratory drive. Oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation may be needed for
severe cases. Nurses should document episodes carefully and educate parents. Proper care
reduces the risk of hypoxic injury and supports neurodevelopment.
What nursing interventions are important for neonates on mechanical ventilation?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Nurses should monitor ventilator settings, oxygen saturation,
blood gases, and vital signs continuously. Ensure proper endotracheal tube placement and
prevent accidental extubation. Suction the airway as needed to maintain patency and prevent
obstruction. Monitor for complications such as pneumothorax, ventilator-associated
pneumonia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Provide thermoregulation, pain management,
and support nutrition. Vigilant monitoring ensures effective ventilation and prevents
secondary complications.
How does Neonatal Pneumothorax present, and what is the role of the nurse?
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅ Neonatal pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the
pleural space, causing lung collapse. Signs include sudden respiratory distress, tachypnea,
cyanosis, decreased breath sounds, and asymmetric chest movement. Management may
