Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Exam Neonatal Neurology and Developmental Care

Question 1

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in a term neonate is most accurately assessed using which scoring system?

Accepted Answer

Sarnat or Thompson staging of HIE severity

Answer

Apgar score alone

Answer

Ballard gestational age score

Answer

CRIB score

Question 2

Therapeutic hypothermia (whole-body cooling) for HIE is initiated within what time window to be effective?

Accepted Answer

Within 6 hours of birth

Answer

Within 24 hours of birth

Answer

Within 12 hours of birth

Answer

Anytime in the first 72 hours

Question 3

Which neonatal seizure type is most commonly missed because it lacks classic convulsive movements?

Accepted Answer

Subtle seizures (lip smacking, eye deviation, bicycling movements)

Answer

Clonic seizures

Answer

Tonic seizures

Answer

Myoclonic seizures

Question 4

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is most commonly graded using which system in neonates?

Accepted Answer

Papile grading system (Grades I-IV)

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer

Neonatal Neurological Risk Score

Answer

FLACC scale

Question 5

Which factor is the strongest predictor of IVH in premature neonates?

Accepted Answer

Lower gestational age and birth weight

Answer

Gestational age above 34 weeks

Answer

Female sex

Answer

Cesarean delivery

Question 6

Which intervention has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of IVH in premature neonates?

Accepted Answer

Antenatal corticosteroids administered to the mother

Answer

Routine lumbar puncture

Answer

Immediate delivery room intubation

Answer

High-dose vitamin E