Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Newborn Assessment and Care 3

Question 1

A newborn has a cephalohematoma identified on assessment. Which statement about cephalohematoma is accurate?

Accepted Answer

It is a collection of blood between the periosteum and skull bone limited by suture lines

Answer

A cephalohematoma is a subperiosteal hemorrhage confined by suture lines that does not cross sutures, distinguishing it from caput succedaneum which does cross suture lines.

Question 2

The nurse assesses a newborn's respiratory rate as 68 breaths per minute consistently over 15 minutes. What condition does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Tachypnea suggesting respiratory distress

Answer

Normal newborn respiratory rate is 30–60 breaths per minute; a sustained rate of 68 breaths per minute is tachypnea indicating potential respiratory distress.

Question 3

A breastfed newborn has a bilirubin level of 18 mg/dL at 5 days of life. The pediatrician suspects breast milk jaundice. Which action is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Increase breastfeeding frequency to 10–12 times per day

Answer

For breast milk jaundice with non-critical bilirubin levels, increasing breastfeeding frequency to 10–12 times per day promotes bilirubin excretion and is the preferred first intervention.

Question 4

Which newborn screening test is mandatory in all US states and detects a condition that causes intellectual disability if untreated?

Accepted Answer

Phenylketonuria (PKU) blood spot screening

Answer

PKU screening via heel stick blood spot is mandated in all US states; untreated PKU causes severe intellectual disability due to phenylalanine accumulation, but dietary treatment prevents neurological damage.

Question 5

A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to a newborn. What is the purpose of this medication?

Accepted Answer

To provide prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum from gonorrhea and Chlamydia

Answer

Erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment is administered to all newborns to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection that can cause blindness if caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Practice Test

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Practice Test

Maternal Newborn Nursing Test Newborn Assessment and Care 3