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ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2023 – Series
4: Newborn – Assessment and Care
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Table of Contents
Chapter 25: Newborn Transition to Extrauterine Life
Chapter 26: Newborn Physical Assessment
Chapter 27: Newborn Screening and Preventive Care
Chapter 28: Thermoregulation and Hypoglycemia
Chapter 29: Newborn Nutrition and Feeding
Chapter 30: Newborn Complications and Interventions
Chapter 31: Neonatal Resuscitation
Chapter 32: Congenital Anomalies and Genetic Disorders
Test Bank – 300 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
Chapter 25: Newborn Transition to Extrauterine Life
Quiz 1: A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. Which
physiologic change occurs during the transition to extrauterine life?
A) Decreased pulmonary blood flow
B) Closure of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
C) Increased pulmonary vascular resistance
D) Decreased systemic vascular resistance
Answer: B) Closure of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
Rationale: At birth, the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus close,
redirecting blood flow to the lungs and establishing the neonatal
circulation pattern.
Quiz 2: A nurse is assessing a newborn's respiratory status. Which
finding indicates normal transition?
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A) Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
B) Respiratory rate of 40 to 60 breaths per minute with irregular pattern
C) Respiratory rate of 80 breaths per minute with grunting
D) Apneic episodes lasting 30 seconds
Answer: B) Respiratory rate of 40 to 60 breaths per minute with
irregular pattern
Rationale: Normal newborn respiratory rate is 30 to 60 breaths per
minute with an irregular pattern. Grunting, retractions, or apnea indicate
respiratory distress.
Quiz 3: A nurse is assessing a newborn's heart rate. Which finding is
expected?
A) Heart rate of 80 beats per minute
B) Heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute
C) Heart rate of 180 beats per minute
D) Heart rate that is irregular and unresponsive to stimulation
Answer: B) Heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute
Rationale: Normal newborn heart rate ranges from 110 to 160 beats per
minute, averaging 120 to 140 beats per minute.
Quiz 4: A nurse is assessing a newborn's temperature. Which finding
indicates hypothermia?
A) Axillary temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F)
B) Axillary temperature 36.5°C (97.7°F)
C) Axillary temperature 36.0°C (96.8°F)
D) Axillary temperature 37.5°C (99.5°F)
Answer: C) Axillary temperature 36.0°C (96.8°F)
Rationale: Normal newborn axillary temperature is 36.5°C to 37.5°C
(97.7°F to 99.5°F). A temperature below 36.5°C (97.7°F) indicates
hypothermia.
Quiz 5: A nurse is assessing a newborn's first stool. Which finding is
expected within the first 24 hours?
A) Yellow, seedy stool
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B) Greenish-black, tarry meconium
C) Brown, formed stool
D) Pale, clay-colored stool
Answer: B) Greenish-black, tarry meconium
Rationale: Meconium is the first stool passed within the first 24 to 48
hours, characterized by its greenish-black, tarry appearance.
Quiz 6: A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of respiratory distress.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Nasal flaring
B) Irregular breathing pattern
C) Respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute
D) Periodic breathing
Answer: A) Nasal flaring
Rationale: Nasal flaring, grunting, retractions, and tachypnea (greater
than 60 breaths per minute) are signs of respiratory distress requiring
intervention.
Quiz 7: A nurse is assessing a newborn's cardiovascular transition.
Which structure closes functionally at birth?
A) Umbilical vein
B) Ductus venosus
C) Foramen ovale
D) Umbilical arteries
Answer: C) Foramen ovale
Rationale: The foramen ovale closes functionally within the first few
minutes to hours after birth due to increased left atrial pressure.
Quiz 8: A nurse is teaching about fetal circulation. Which structure
shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta in utero?
A) Foramen ovale
B) Ductus venosus
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Umbilical vein
ATI RN Maternal Newborn 2023 – Series
4: Newborn – Assessment and Care
, Page 2 of 94
Table of Contents
Chapter 25: Newborn Transition to Extrauterine Life
Chapter 26: Newborn Physical Assessment
Chapter 27: Newborn Screening and Preventive Care
Chapter 28: Thermoregulation and Hypoglycemia
Chapter 29: Newborn Nutrition and Feeding
Chapter 30: Newborn Complications and Interventions
Chapter 31: Neonatal Resuscitation
Chapter 32: Congenital Anomalies and Genetic Disorders
Test Bank – 300 Multiple Choice Questions with Rationales
Chapter 25: Newborn Transition to Extrauterine Life
Quiz 1: A nurse is assessing a newborn immediately after birth. Which
physiologic change occurs during the transition to extrauterine life?
A) Decreased pulmonary blood flow
B) Closure of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
C) Increased pulmonary vascular resistance
D) Decreased systemic vascular resistance
Answer: B) Closure of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus
Rationale: At birth, the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus close,
redirecting blood flow to the lungs and establishing the neonatal
circulation pattern.
Quiz 2: A nurse is assessing a newborn's respiratory status. Which
finding indicates normal transition?
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A) Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
B) Respiratory rate of 40 to 60 breaths per minute with irregular pattern
C) Respiratory rate of 80 breaths per minute with grunting
D) Apneic episodes lasting 30 seconds
Answer: B) Respiratory rate of 40 to 60 breaths per minute with
irregular pattern
Rationale: Normal newborn respiratory rate is 30 to 60 breaths per
minute with an irregular pattern. Grunting, retractions, or apnea indicate
respiratory distress.
Quiz 3: A nurse is assessing a newborn's heart rate. Which finding is
expected?
A) Heart rate of 80 beats per minute
B) Heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute
C) Heart rate of 180 beats per minute
D) Heart rate that is irregular and unresponsive to stimulation
Answer: B) Heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute
Rationale: Normal newborn heart rate ranges from 110 to 160 beats per
minute, averaging 120 to 140 beats per minute.
Quiz 4: A nurse is assessing a newborn's temperature. Which finding
indicates hypothermia?
A) Axillary temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F)
B) Axillary temperature 36.5°C (97.7°F)
C) Axillary temperature 36.0°C (96.8°F)
D) Axillary temperature 37.5°C (99.5°F)
Answer: C) Axillary temperature 36.0°C (96.8°F)
Rationale: Normal newborn axillary temperature is 36.5°C to 37.5°C
(97.7°F to 99.5°F). A temperature below 36.5°C (97.7°F) indicates
hypothermia.
Quiz 5: A nurse is assessing a newborn's first stool. Which finding is
expected within the first 24 hours?
A) Yellow, seedy stool
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B) Greenish-black, tarry meconium
C) Brown, formed stool
D) Pale, clay-colored stool
Answer: B) Greenish-black, tarry meconium
Rationale: Meconium is the first stool passed within the first 24 to 48
hours, characterized by its greenish-black, tarry appearance.
Quiz 6: A nurse is assessing a newborn for signs of respiratory distress.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Nasal flaring
B) Irregular breathing pattern
C) Respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute
D) Periodic breathing
Answer: A) Nasal flaring
Rationale: Nasal flaring, grunting, retractions, and tachypnea (greater
than 60 breaths per minute) are signs of respiratory distress requiring
intervention.
Quiz 7: A nurse is assessing a newborn's cardiovascular transition.
Which structure closes functionally at birth?
A) Umbilical vein
B) Ductus venosus
C) Foramen ovale
D) Umbilical arteries
Answer: C) Foramen ovale
Rationale: The foramen ovale closes functionally within the first few
minutes to hours after birth due to increased left atrial pressure.
Quiz 8: A nurse is teaching about fetal circulation. Which structure
shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta in utero?
A) Foramen ovale
B) Ductus venosus
C) Ductus arteriosus
D) Umbilical vein
