Pediatric Nurse Exam Pediatric Nurse Neonatal and Newborn Care 3

Question 1

A premature infant born at 32 weeks gestation is at greatest risk for which condition?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Answer

RDS is the most common serious complication in premature infants due to insufficient surfactant production before 34–36 weeks gestation.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of administering exogenous surfactant to a premature neonate?

Accepted Answer

Reduce alveolar surface tension to prevent collapse

Answer

Exogenous surfactant reduces surface tension within the alveoli, preventing atelectasis in premature lungs that cannot produce adequate natural surfactant.

Question 3

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is most commonly associated with which delivery method?

Accepted Answer

Cesarean section without labor

Answer

TTN results from retained fetal lung fluid, occurring most often after cesarean birth because the thoracic compression of vaginal delivery that clears lung fluid is absent.

Question 4

Which finding is considered a normal expected variation during a newborn physical assessment?

Accepted Answer

Physiological weight loss of 5–10% in the first week of life

Answer

A 5–10% weight loss in the first week is normal due to fluid shifts and is regained by 10–14 days of life.

Question 5

A neonate is receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for RDS. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal distension with decreased bowel sounds

Answer

Abdominal distension with decreased bowel sounds during CPAP may indicate necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or bowel perforation requiring urgent evaluation.

Pediatric Nurse Exam Practice Test

Pediatric Nurse Exam Practice Test

Pediatric Nurse Exam Pediatric Nurse Neonatal and Newborn Care 3