Childbirth Educator Newborn Care 2

Question 1

What is the purpose of the vitamin K injection given to newborns at birth?

Accepted Answer

To prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which can cause life-threatening hemorrhage

Answer

Newborns have low vitamin K levels and cannot produce adequate amounts initially; the injection prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), which can cause serious or fatal hemorrhage.

Question 2

What is the normal respiratory rate for a healthy newborn?

Accepted Answer

40–60 breaths per minute

Answer

A healthy newborn breathes at 40–60 breaths per minute, which is significantly faster than the adult normal rate of 12–20 breaths per minute.

Question 3

What does rooting reflex indicate in a newborn?

Accepted Answer

A hunger cue where the baby turns toward a touch on the cheek and opens its mouth

Answer

The rooting reflex causes newborns to turn their head toward stimulation of the cheek and open their mouth, helping them find the nipple to feed.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the erythromycin eye ointment applied to newborns at birth in the US?

Accepted Answer

To prevent gonorrheal ophthalmia neonatorum, which can cause blindness

Answer

Erythromycin eye prophylaxis is given to prevent gonorrheal eye infection (ophthalmia neonatorum) that can be transmitted during birth and lead to blindness.

Question 5

When should a childbirth educator advise parents to call their pediatrician about newborn jaundice?

Accepted Answer

If jaundice appears in the first 24 hours or the baby seems lethargic and not feeding well

Answer

Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours is always pathologic and requires immediate evaluation; lethargy and poor feeding with jaundice also warrant urgent assessment.

Childbirth Educator Practice Test

Childbirth Educator Practice Test

Childbirth Educator Newborn Care 2