Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Neonatal Jaundice & Hyperbilirubinemia

Question 1

Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours of life is always considered:

Accepted Answer

Pathologic and requiring immediate evaluation

Answer

Jaundice in the first 24 hours is always pathologic, most commonly due to hemolytic disease such as ABO or Rh incompatibility, and requires urgent evaluation.

Question 2

Which tool provides hour-specific bilirubin thresholds to guide phototherapy decisions in newborns?

Accepted Answer

Bhutani nomogram (hour-specific bilirubin nomogram)

Answer

The Bhutani nomogram plots total serum bilirubin against postnatal age in hours and risk category to determine when phototherapy or further evaluation is needed.

Question 3

What is the primary mechanism by which phototherapy reduces neonatal hyperbilirubinemia?

Accepted Answer

Converts unconjugated bilirubin into water-soluble isomers that can be excreted without hepatic conjugation

Answer

Phototherapy uses light energy to convert unconjugated bilirubin (lumirubin and photo-isomers) into water-soluble forms excreted in bile and urine without liver conjugation.

Question 4

Which mother-infant blood type combination most commonly causes ABO incompatibility hemolytic disease?

Accepted Answer

Mother type O, infant type A or B

Answer

Type O mothers naturally carry anti-A and anti-B IgG antibodies that can cross the placenta and hemolyze red blood cells of a type A or B infant.

Question 5

What is kernicterus?

Accepted Answer

Bilirubin-induced neurological dysfunction resulting from unconjugated bilirubin crossing the blood-brain barrier

Answer

Kernicterus refers to the chronic neurological damage caused by high levels of unconjugated bilirubin depositing in brain tissue, potentially causing cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and cognitive impairment.

Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Practice Test

Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Practice Test

Low Risk Neonatal Nurse Exam Neonatal Jaundice & Hyperbilirubinemia