Childbirth Educator Newborn Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Apgar score used to assess in newborns?
- The baby's physical condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth (Correct answer)
- The baby's gestational age at delivery
- The mother's recovery status after birth
- The baby's blood glucose level
Correct answer: The baby's physical condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth
The Apgar score evaluates five criteria — appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration — at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to assess neonatal well-being.
Question 2: What is the current AAP recommendation for infant sleep position to reduce SIDS risk?
- Always place infants on their back to sleep (Correct answer)
- Side sleeping is acceptable for newborns
- Stomach sleeping is safe with a firm mattress
- Infant positioning does not affect SIDS risk
Correct answer: Always place infants on their back to sleep
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing all infants on their backs for every sleep until age 1 to significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Question 3: What is colostrum and what is its significance for newborns?
- The first breast milk, rich in antibodies and nutrients, produced in the first days after birth (Correct answer)
- A vitamin supplement given to newborns at birth
- Formula used before breast milk comes in
- The amniotic fluid swallowed by the fetus
Correct answer: The first breast milk, rich in antibodies and nutrients, produced in the first days after birth
Colostrum is the thick, concentrated first breast milk produced in the first 2–5 days, packed with immune-protective antibodies, proteins, and growth factors.
Question 4: How many wet diapers per day should parents expect from a 5-day-old breastfed newborn?
- At least 6 wet diapers per day (Correct answer)
- 1–2 wet diapers per day
- 10–12 wet diapers per day
- Wet diapers are not a reliable feeding indicator
Correct answer: At least 6 wet diapers per day
By day 5, a well-fed newborn should produce at least 6 wet diapers per day, which is a reliable indicator of adequate milk intake.
Question 5: What is physiologic jaundice in newborns?
- Normal yellowing of the skin caused by bilirubin accumulation in the first days of life (Correct answer)
- A sign of liver disease requiring immediate treatment
- A reaction to formula or breast milk
- Yellowing caused by maternal medications
Correct answer: Normal yellowing of the skin caused by bilirubin accumulation in the first days of life
Physiologic jaundice is normal yellowing that appears in most newborns around day 2–3 as the liver processes bilirubin from red blood cell breakdown.
Question 6: What is the recommended temperature for a newborn's bath water?
- Around 100°F (38°C) — comfortably warm but not hot (Correct answer)
- As hot as possible to kill bacteria
- Cold water to prevent overheating
- Temperature does not matter for sponge baths
Correct answer: Around 100°F (38°C) — comfortably warm but not hot
Bath water for newborns should be comfortably warm at approximately 100°F (38°C) to prevent burns or chilling.
Childbirth Educator Newborn Care 1
What is the Apgar score used to assess in newborns?