Page 1 of 30
MATERNITY NCLEX QUESTIONS COMPREHENSIVE 2026
QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
The parents of a newborn become concerned when they notice that their baby
seems to stop breathing for a few seconds. After confirming the parents'
findings by observing the newborn, which of the following actions would be
most appropriate?
A) Notify the health care provider immediately.
B) Assess the newborn for signs of respiratory distress.
C) Reassure the parents that this is an expected pattern.
D) Tell the parents not to worry since his color is fine.
B
Although periods of apnea of less than 20 seconds can occur, the nurse needs to
gather additional information about the newborn's respiratory status to determine if
this finding is indicative of a developing problem. Therefore, the nurse would need to
assess for signs of respiratory distress. Once this information is obtained, then the
nurse can notify the health care provider or explain that this finding is an expected
one. However, it would be inappropriate to tell the parents not to worry, because
additional information is needed. Also, telling them not to worry ignores their feelings
and is not therapeutic.
When assessing a newborn 1 hour after birth, the nurse measures an axillary
temperature of 95.8 degrees F, an apical pulse of 114 beats/minute, and a
respiratory rate of 60 breaths/minute. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest
priority?
, Page 2 of 30
A) Hypothermia related to heat loss during birthing process
B) Impaired parenting related to addition of new family member
C) Risk for deficient fluid volume related to insensible fluid loss
D) Risk for infection related to transition to extrauterine environment
A
The newborn's heart rate is slightly below the accepted range of 120 to 160
beats/minute; the respiratory rate is at the high end of the accepted range of 30 to 60
breaths per minute. However, the newborn's temperature is significantly below the
accepted range of 97.7 to 99.7 degrees F. Therefore, the priority nursing diagnosis is
hypothermia. There is no information to suggest impaired parenting. Additional
information is needed to determine if there is a risk for deficient fluid volume or a risk
for infection.
The nurse places a newborn with jaundice under the phototherapy lights in the
nursery to achieve which goal?
A) Prevent cold stress
B) Increase surfactant levels in the lungs
C) Promote respiratory stability
D) Decrease the serum bilirubin level
D
Jaundice reflects elevated serum bilirubin levels; phototherapy helps to break down
the bilirubin for excretion. Phototherapy has no effect on body temperature,
surfactant levels, or respiratory stability.
The nurse assesses a 1-day-old newborn. Which finding indicates that the
newborn's oxygen needs aren't being met?
A) Respiratory rate of 54 breaths/minute
B) Abdominal breathing
C) Nasal flaring
D) Acrocyanosis
C
Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory difficulty in the newborn. A rate of 54
, Page 3 of 30
breaths/minute, diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing, and acrocyanosis are normal
findings.
During a physical assessment of a newborn, the nurse observes bluish
markings across the newborn's lower back. The nurse interprets this finding
as:
A) Milia
B) Mongolian spots
C) Stork bites
D) Birth trauma
B
Mongolian spots are blue or purple splotches that appear on the lower back and
buttocks of newborns. Milia are unopened sebaceous glands frequently found on a
newborn's nose. Stork bites are superficial vascular areas found on the nape of the
neck and eyelids and between the eyes and upper lip. Birth trauma would be
manifested by bruising, swelling, and possible deformity.
While making rounds in the nursery, the nurse sees a 6-hour-old baby girl
gagging and turning bluish. What would the nurse do first?
A) Alert the physician stat and turn the newborn to her right side.
B) Administer oxygen via facial mask by positive pressure.
C) Lower the newborn's head to stimulate crying.
D) Aspirate the oral and nasal pharynx with a bulb syringe.
D
The nurse's first action would be to suction the oral and nasal pharynx with a bulb
syringe to maintain airway patency. Turning the newborn to her right side will not
alleviate the blockage due to secretions. Administering oxygen via positive pressure
is not indicated at this time. Lowering the newborn's head would be inappropriate.
While performing a physical assessment of a newborn boy, the nurse notes
diffuse edema of the soft tissues of his scalp that crosses suture lines. The
nurse documents this finding as:
A) Molding
B) Microcephaly
MATERNITY NCLEX QUESTIONS COMPREHENSIVE 2026
QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
The parents of a newborn become concerned when they notice that their baby
seems to stop breathing for a few seconds. After confirming the parents'
findings by observing the newborn, which of the following actions would be
most appropriate?
A) Notify the health care provider immediately.
B) Assess the newborn for signs of respiratory distress.
C) Reassure the parents that this is an expected pattern.
D) Tell the parents not to worry since his color is fine.
B
Although periods of apnea of less than 20 seconds can occur, the nurse needs to
gather additional information about the newborn's respiratory status to determine if
this finding is indicative of a developing problem. Therefore, the nurse would need to
assess for signs of respiratory distress. Once this information is obtained, then the
nurse can notify the health care provider or explain that this finding is an expected
one. However, it would be inappropriate to tell the parents not to worry, because
additional information is needed. Also, telling them not to worry ignores their feelings
and is not therapeutic.
When assessing a newborn 1 hour after birth, the nurse measures an axillary
temperature of 95.8 degrees F, an apical pulse of 114 beats/minute, and a
respiratory rate of 60 breaths/minute. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest
priority?
, Page 2 of 30
A) Hypothermia related to heat loss during birthing process
B) Impaired parenting related to addition of new family member
C) Risk for deficient fluid volume related to insensible fluid loss
D) Risk for infection related to transition to extrauterine environment
A
The newborn's heart rate is slightly below the accepted range of 120 to 160
beats/minute; the respiratory rate is at the high end of the accepted range of 30 to 60
breaths per minute. However, the newborn's temperature is significantly below the
accepted range of 97.7 to 99.7 degrees F. Therefore, the priority nursing diagnosis is
hypothermia. There is no information to suggest impaired parenting. Additional
information is needed to determine if there is a risk for deficient fluid volume or a risk
for infection.
The nurse places a newborn with jaundice under the phototherapy lights in the
nursery to achieve which goal?
A) Prevent cold stress
B) Increase surfactant levels in the lungs
C) Promote respiratory stability
D) Decrease the serum bilirubin level
D
Jaundice reflects elevated serum bilirubin levels; phototherapy helps to break down
the bilirubin for excretion. Phototherapy has no effect on body temperature,
surfactant levels, or respiratory stability.
The nurse assesses a 1-day-old newborn. Which finding indicates that the
newborn's oxygen needs aren't being met?
A) Respiratory rate of 54 breaths/minute
B) Abdominal breathing
C) Nasal flaring
D) Acrocyanosis
C
Nasal flaring is a sign of respiratory difficulty in the newborn. A rate of 54
, Page 3 of 30
breaths/minute, diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing, and acrocyanosis are normal
findings.
During a physical assessment of a newborn, the nurse observes bluish
markings across the newborn's lower back. The nurse interprets this finding
as:
A) Milia
B) Mongolian spots
C) Stork bites
D) Birth trauma
B
Mongolian spots are blue or purple splotches that appear on the lower back and
buttocks of newborns. Milia are unopened sebaceous glands frequently found on a
newborn's nose. Stork bites are superficial vascular areas found on the nape of the
neck and eyelids and between the eyes and upper lip. Birth trauma would be
manifested by bruising, swelling, and possible deformity.
While making rounds in the nursery, the nurse sees a 6-hour-old baby girl
gagging and turning bluish. What would the nurse do first?
A) Alert the physician stat and turn the newborn to her right side.
B) Administer oxygen via facial mask by positive pressure.
C) Lower the newborn's head to stimulate crying.
D) Aspirate the oral and nasal pharynx with a bulb syringe.
D
The nurse's first action would be to suction the oral and nasal pharynx with a bulb
syringe to maintain airway patency. Turning the newborn to her right side will not
alleviate the blockage due to secretions. Administering oxygen via positive pressure
is not indicated at this time. Lowering the newborn's head would be inappropriate.
While performing a physical assessment of a newborn boy, the nurse notes
diffuse edema of the soft tissues of his scalp that crosses suture lines. The
nurse documents this finding as:
A) Molding
B) Microcephaly
