Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Exam Neonatal Respiratory Management

Question 1

A preterm infant at 28 weeks gestation is placed on mechanical ventilation. Which ventilator parameter directly controls oxygenation?

Accepted Answer

FiO2 and PEEP

Answer

FiO2 and PEEP are the primary ventilator parameters that control oxygenation in mechanically ventilated neonates.

Question 2

Which finding is the earliest sign of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in a newborn?

Accepted Answer

Grunting on expiration

Answer

Expiratory grunting is an early compensatory mechanism to maintain functional residual capacity in RDS.

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a neonate on CPAP. The target SpO2 range for a 26-week gestation infant is:

Accepted Answer

91–95%

Answer

The recommended SpO2 target for preterm neonates is 91–95% to balance adequate oxygenation with minimizing oxygen toxicity.

Question 4

Surfactant replacement therapy is MOST indicated for which condition?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory distress syndrome

Answer

Surfactant replacement therapy is the primary treatment for RDS caused by surfactant deficiency in preterm infants.

Question 5

During a ventilator assessment, the NICU nurse notes rising PaCO2 on blood gas. Which intervention addresses hypercapnia?

Accepted Answer

Increase ventilator rate or tidal volume

Answer

Hypercapnia (elevated PaCO2) is corrected by increasing minute ventilation through higher rate or tidal volume.

Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Exam Practice Test