Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Basic Flashcards

A term neonate has a heart rate of 90 bpm immediately after birth. What is the priority action?

Answer: Begin positive pressure ventilation

A heart rate below 100 bpm after birth requires immediate positive pressure ventilation per NRP guidelines.

Which acid-base disturbance is most commonly seen in a neonate with severe respiratory distress syndrome?

Answer: Respiratory acidosis

RDS causes CO2 retention due to alveolar collapse, resulting in respiratory acidosis.

A preterm neonate at 28 weeks gestation is placed in a radiant warmer. Which intervention best prevents transepidermal water loss?

Answer: Apply a polyethylene plastic wrap

Polyethylene plastic wraps significantly reduce transepidermal water loss in extremely preterm infants.

Which finding on a chest X-ray is most consistent with meconium aspiration syndrome?

Answer: Hyperinflation with patchy infiltrates

MAS typically shows hyperinflation with coarse, asymmetric patchy infiltrates due to air trapping and atelectasis.

A neonate born at 35 weeks receives phototherapy for jaundice. The nurse notes a bronze discoloration of the skin and dark urine. This finding indicates:

Answer: Bronze baby syndrome from phototherapy

Bronze baby syndrome is a rare complication of phototherapy occurring primarily in neonates with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with early-onset seizures in a term neonate?

Answer: Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a leading cause of early neonatal seizures and must be checked and corrected promptly.

A NICU nurse is assessing a neonate for patent ductus arteriosus. Which clinical finding is most characteristic?

Answer: Continuous machine-like murmur at the upper left sternal border

PDA produces a continuous machine-like murmur best heard at the upper left sternal border due to shunting between the aorta and pulmonary artery.