NSPN 7200 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
When are corticosteroids administered for PTL(What gestation typically) - ANS Women at risk
for PTL between 24-34 weeks gestation but can be used as early as 22 weeks if resuscitation and
intensive care is planned
When will antibiotics be ordered for PTL - ANS if membranes are ruptured, GBS+, GBS status
is unknown
What is the usual antibiotic ordered in PTL - ANS Penicillin
What is Magnesium Sulphate given for in PTL for? And when is it given? -
ANS Neuroprotective agent and administered at <34 weeks and birth is imminent (likelihood
of delivering in 24 hours)
How is imminent birth defined? - ANS High likelihood of birth within 24 hours due to either
active labour (cervix >4cm dilated) or planned preterm delivery for maternal/fetal conditions
Other than when signs of toxicity exist when should MgSO4 treatment be discontinued in
relation to PTL - ANS When delivery is no longer imminent, or there has been 24 hours of
MgSO4 treatment
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
,Name 4 minor side effects of MgSO4 - ANS Flushing, burning at IV site, metallic taste on
tongue, sweating, N&V
Name 4 serious side effects of MgSO4 - ANS Respiratory depression, absent refexes,
hypotension, tachycardia, pulmonary edema
Identify two potential neonatal affects(related to high doses of MgSO4) - ANS Hypotonia and
Apnea
Physical Activity and Food can increase someones chances of delivering a preterm baby -
ANS FALSE. They pose no risk to preterm labour
Nursing Implications for Preterm Labour - ANS Ongoing assessment of maternal/fetal
wellbeing, medication admin, communication with interprofessional team, preparing for
delivery
How may assessments differ in PTL during labour - ANS May be difficult to palpate uterine
contractions depending on gestational age and size of womens abdomen.
Notify NICU Resus team
Ensure all equipment is ready and in the room and appropriate to babies size
PTL can progress quickly so be prepared!
Preterm:At what gestational age should the baseline rate and variability be similar to a term
fetus - ANS 32 weeks
Would you expect the baseline FHR of a preterm fetus at 28 weeks gestation to be higher or
lower FHR than a term fetus. - ANS Higher. This is related to maturity of the central and
autonomic nervous systems and cardiovascular systems. The sympathetic nervous system,
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
, which increases heart rate, matures before the parasympathetic system which slows heart rate.
As the fetus matures, the baseline heart rate will decrease and the heart rate variability will
increase.
Why might you see more cord compression (Baroreceptor response) in a preterm fetus -
ANS There is less Wharton's jelly protecting the umbilical cord as the fetus moves around.
Extremely Preterm - ANS 28 weeks gestation
Moderately Preterm - ANS 28-34 weeks gestation
Late Preterm - ANS 34-36+6 weeks gestation
List some potential health consequences for the preterm infant - ANS Respiratory distress,
asphyxia, ineffective thermoregulation, feeding problems, infection, hyperbilirubinemia,
metabolic disturbances, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, neurologic and behavioural problems,
nutritional deficits, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, hematologic
disturbances
What does PWSCOA mean - ANS Pink- Establish and maintain respirations
Warm- Ability to regulate temperature
Sweet- Maintain blood sugar
Clean- Employ infection prevention strategies
Organized- Maintain an optimum state
Attached- Promote attachment with family
How does PWSCOA affect care for the preterm neonate - ANS Pink-RDS due to surfactant
deficiency, and respiratory support
Warm: Very thin skin and do not have sufficient brown fat stores to create a sufficient heat
production response
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
When are corticosteroids administered for PTL(What gestation typically) - ANS Women at risk
for PTL between 24-34 weeks gestation but can be used as early as 22 weeks if resuscitation and
intensive care is planned
When will antibiotics be ordered for PTL - ANS if membranes are ruptured, GBS+, GBS status
is unknown
What is the usual antibiotic ordered in PTL - ANS Penicillin
What is Magnesium Sulphate given for in PTL for? And when is it given? -
ANS Neuroprotective agent and administered at <34 weeks and birth is imminent (likelihood
of delivering in 24 hours)
How is imminent birth defined? - ANS High likelihood of birth within 24 hours due to either
active labour (cervix >4cm dilated) or planned preterm delivery for maternal/fetal conditions
Other than when signs of toxicity exist when should MgSO4 treatment be discontinued in
relation to PTL - ANS When delivery is no longer imminent, or there has been 24 hours of
MgSO4 treatment
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
,Name 4 minor side effects of MgSO4 - ANS Flushing, burning at IV site, metallic taste on
tongue, sweating, N&V
Name 4 serious side effects of MgSO4 - ANS Respiratory depression, absent refexes,
hypotension, tachycardia, pulmonary edema
Identify two potential neonatal affects(related to high doses of MgSO4) - ANS Hypotonia and
Apnea
Physical Activity and Food can increase someones chances of delivering a preterm baby -
ANS FALSE. They pose no risk to preterm labour
Nursing Implications for Preterm Labour - ANS Ongoing assessment of maternal/fetal
wellbeing, medication admin, communication with interprofessional team, preparing for
delivery
How may assessments differ in PTL during labour - ANS May be difficult to palpate uterine
contractions depending on gestational age and size of womens abdomen.
Notify NICU Resus team
Ensure all equipment is ready and in the room and appropriate to babies size
PTL can progress quickly so be prepared!
Preterm:At what gestational age should the baseline rate and variability be similar to a term
fetus - ANS 32 weeks
Would you expect the baseline FHR of a preterm fetus at 28 weeks gestation to be higher or
lower FHR than a term fetus. - ANS Higher. This is related to maturity of the central and
autonomic nervous systems and cardiovascular systems. The sympathetic nervous system,
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
, which increases heart rate, matures before the parasympathetic system which slows heart rate.
As the fetus matures, the baseline heart rate will decrease and the heart rate variability will
increase.
Why might you see more cord compression (Baroreceptor response) in a preterm fetus -
ANS There is less Wharton's jelly protecting the umbilical cord as the fetus moves around.
Extremely Preterm - ANS 28 weeks gestation
Moderately Preterm - ANS 28-34 weeks gestation
Late Preterm - ANS 34-36+6 weeks gestation
List some potential health consequences for the preterm infant - ANS Respiratory distress,
asphyxia, ineffective thermoregulation, feeding problems, infection, hyperbilirubinemia,
metabolic disturbances, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, neurologic and behavioural problems,
nutritional deficits, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, hematologic
disturbances
What does PWSCOA mean - ANS Pink- Establish and maintain respirations
Warm- Ability to regulate temperature
Sweet- Maintain blood sugar
Clean- Employ infection prevention strategies
Organized- Maintain an optimum state
Attached- Promote attachment with family
How does PWSCOA affect care for the preterm neonate - ANS Pink-RDS due to surfactant
deficiency, and respiratory support
Warm: Very thin skin and do not have sufficient brown fat stores to create a sufficient heat
production response
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
