NURS 372: FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
What are the 3 stages of the newborn transition period - ANS 1. First period of reactivity
2. Period of decreased responsiveness
3. Second period of reactivity
Define neonate - ANS First 28 days of life
How does the newborn present during the first period of reactivity - ANS Very alert,
spontaneous tremors, crying
Bowel sounds are audible
How long does the first period of reactivity last - ANS Up to 30 minutes long
How does the newborn present during the period of decreased responsiveness - ANS Heart
rate may fall to baseline
Sleeping
Decreased motor activity
How long does the period of decreased responsiveness last - ANS Lasts about 1- 1.5 hours
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,What event most likely occurs during the second period of reactivity - ANS Meconium is most
likely to be passed during this period
How does the fetus breathe, while in utero - ANS The placenta delivers oxygen, NOT the
lungs
Fetus's cannot breathe with their lungs- why is this? - ANS While in utero, the lungs are fluid
filled. They continually produce fluid, filling up all the air spaces
At what week does this occur:
Fetus practice breathing movements essential for developing chest wall muscles and diaphragm
Fetal blood is shunted away from lungs because they aren't formed yet - ANS 11 weeks
At what week does this occur:
Some fluid moves into the trachea and into the amniotic fluid and is swallowed
They practice swallowing movements - ANS 13-16 weeks
At what week does this occur:
Rhythmic breathing movements occur
Fetal lung fluid decreases as labour approaches - ANS 29-32 weeks
A release of ________ before labour, tells the lungs to release fluid - ANS catecholamines
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
, If a fetus is exposed to catecholamines too early, before labour, what can it cause? - ANS it
can cause fetal absorption of fluid
Define surfactant - ANS A protein complex secreted by cells in lungs to keep lungs from
collapsing by decreasing the surface tension in alveoli.
Provide the lungs with stability, needed for gas exchange
What adventitious lung sound can be heard right after birth - ANS Audible crackles can be
heard right after birth
How to determine fetal lung maturity after the 35th week - ANS via amniocentesis
How do chemoreceptors induce respirations in the fetus - ANS Chemoreceptors in aorta and
carotid, fetus is in a relative state of hypoxia → causes chemical activation to induce respirations
How does the action of passing through the birth canal induce respirations? - ANS when baby
is being born vaginally, changes occur as the fetus' chest is compressed → air is forced in
How does a decrease in temperature induce newborn breathing - ANS Decrease in
temperature after birth causes receptors in skin to stimulate medulla to start breathing
Why do sensory actions, such as touching a newborn, induce respirations - ANS Touching/
drying the infant/ lights/ sounds/ smells, can all trigger respirations
Lung expansion and first breaths must be strong enough to move fluids that fill the fetal airway
from the trachea to the terminal air sacs. The lung liquid must be replaced with ______ -
ANS an equal volume of air
What must be established, in order for the newborn to successfully clear their airways -
ANS Functional residual capacity (i.e., air remaining in the lungs at the end of expiration),
must be established
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS.
What are the 3 stages of the newborn transition period - ANS 1. First period of reactivity
2. Period of decreased responsiveness
3. Second period of reactivity
Define neonate - ANS First 28 days of life
How does the newborn present during the first period of reactivity - ANS Very alert,
spontaneous tremors, crying
Bowel sounds are audible
How long does the first period of reactivity last - ANS Up to 30 minutes long
How does the newborn present during the period of decreased responsiveness - ANS Heart
rate may fall to baseline
Sleeping
Decreased motor activity
How long does the period of decreased responsiveness last - ANS Lasts about 1- 1.5 hours
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 1
,What event most likely occurs during the second period of reactivity - ANS Meconium is most
likely to be passed during this period
How does the fetus breathe, while in utero - ANS The placenta delivers oxygen, NOT the
lungs
Fetus's cannot breathe with their lungs- why is this? - ANS While in utero, the lungs are fluid
filled. They continually produce fluid, filling up all the air spaces
At what week does this occur:
Fetus practice breathing movements essential for developing chest wall muscles and diaphragm
Fetal blood is shunted away from lungs because they aren't formed yet - ANS 11 weeks
At what week does this occur:
Some fluid moves into the trachea and into the amniotic fluid and is swallowed
They practice swallowing movements - ANS 13-16 weeks
At what week does this occur:
Rhythmic breathing movements occur
Fetal lung fluid decreases as labour approaches - ANS 29-32 weeks
A release of ________ before labour, tells the lungs to release fluid - ANS catecholamines
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2
, If a fetus is exposed to catecholamines too early, before labour, what can it cause? - ANS it
can cause fetal absorption of fluid
Define surfactant - ANS A protein complex secreted by cells in lungs to keep lungs from
collapsing by decreasing the surface tension in alveoli.
Provide the lungs with stability, needed for gas exchange
What adventitious lung sound can be heard right after birth - ANS Audible crackles can be
heard right after birth
How to determine fetal lung maturity after the 35th week - ANS via amniocentesis
How do chemoreceptors induce respirations in the fetus - ANS Chemoreceptors in aorta and
carotid, fetus is in a relative state of hypoxia → causes chemical activation to induce respirations
How does the action of passing through the birth canal induce respirations? - ANS when baby
is being born vaginally, changes occur as the fetus' chest is compressed → air is forced in
How does a decrease in temperature induce newborn breathing - ANS Decrease in
temperature after birth causes receptors in skin to stimulate medulla to start breathing
Why do sensory actions, such as touching a newborn, induce respirations - ANS Touching/
drying the infant/ lights/ sounds/ smells, can all trigger respirations
Lung expansion and first breaths must be strong enough to move fluids that fill the fetal airway
from the trachea to the terminal air sacs. The lung liquid must be replaced with ______ -
ANS an equal volume of air
What must be established, in order for the newborn to successfully clear their airways -
ANS Functional residual capacity (i.e., air remaining in the lungs at the end of expiration),
must be established
2026 STUDY MATERIAL @COPYRIGHT RESERVED 3
