Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Exam Neonatal Respiratory Management 2

Question 1

Which arterial blood gas value indicates respiratory acidosis in a neonate?

Accepted Answer

pH 7.25, PaCO2 58 mmHg

Answer

Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) with an elevated PaCO2, indicating inadequate ventilation.

Question 2

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is distinguished from conventional ventilation by:

Accepted Answer

Using very small tidal volumes at high frequencies

Answer

HFOV delivers very small tidal volumes (often less than dead space) at frequencies of 3–15 Hz to minimize lung injury.

Question 3

A nurse preparing to administer surfactant via ET tube should position the infant:

Accepted Answer

Supine with head midline

Answer

Supine with the head midline ensures the ET tube is centered and surfactant is distributed evenly to both lungs.

Question 4

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance causing right-to-left shunting

Answer

PPHN involves failure of normal postnatal pulmonary vascular resistance reduction, causing right-to-left shunting through fetal channels.

Question 5

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used in the NICU primarily to treat:

Accepted Answer

Persistent pulmonary hypertension

Answer

iNO selectively dilates pulmonary vasculature, reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and improving oxygenation in PPHN.

Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Exam Practice Test