AWHONN NEONATAL EXAMS SET
FEATURING SOLVED QUESTIONS AND
ACCURACY CHECKED ANSWERS
●● Nursing actions for a neonate experiencing neonatal abstinence
syndrome include __________________. Select all that apply.
a. insure the room is brightly lit
b. swaddle the infant
c. inform the mother that the infant's symptoms are her fault
d. allowing for rest during feedings
e. assess feedings and daily weights
Answer: b. swaddle the infant
d. allowing for rest during feedings
e. assess feddings and daily weights
●● High-risk neonates that can be assisted by the use of a pacifier
include which of the following? Select all that apply.
a. An infant who is 1150 gm.
b. An infant diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus.
c. An infant who is gavage fed.
d. An infant withdrawing from intrauterine exposure to a narcotic.
e. An infant diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis.
,Answer: a. An infant who is 1150gm
c. An infant who is gavage feed
d. An infant withdrawing from intrauterine exposure to a narcotic
●● Which of the following neonates is at increased risk for
hyperbilirubinemia? Select all that apply.
a. Infant George, whose mother has gestational diabetes.
b. Infant Anna, born at 37 weeks 2 days.
c. Infant Juan, who has caput succedaneum.
d. Infant Tricia, whose mother's blood type is B+.
e. Infant Rohan, whose mother was induced for labor at 39 weeks 5
days.
Answer: a. Infant George, whose mother has gestational diabetes
b. Infant Anna, born at 37 weeks 2 days
e. Infant Rohan, whose mother was induced for labor at 39 weeks 5 days
●● Post-term pregnancy is a risk factor for which of the following
neonatal complications? Select all that apply.
a. Intrauterine growth restriction
b. Meconium aspiration syndrome
c. Persistent pulmonary hypertension
d. Neonatal infection
e. Polycythemia
,Answer: b. Meconium aspiration syndrome
e. Polycythemia
●● Baby Molly was born 52 hours ago at 37 weeks 4 days. An hour into
your shift, her parents push the emergency button to report something
wrong while they tried to feed her. Upon entering the room, you notice
she has tremors, a high pitched cry, and is diaphoretic. Her parents say
she was acting frantic while trying to eat and wouldn't stop crying. As
you begin to assess her, she has a seizure. What neonatal complication is
Molly experiencing?
Answer: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (Tremors, high pitched cry,
diaphoresis, and seizure after 48 hours of life are all indications of
neonatal abstinence syndrome. Molly may also be tachypenic, not
feeding well, be congested and sneezing, along with many other
symptoms. She should be assessed regularly using a scoring tool to
determine her need for care. Molly should have minimal stimulation and
be allowed to rest during feedings.)
●● In the NICU, you're providing care for baby Jordan, who was
delivered at 28 weeks 5 days about 8 days ago. On assessment, you
notice he seems lethargic and his abdomen is distended with visible
bowel loops. His vital signs are blood pressure 52/35 mmHg, pulse 183,
respirations 86, temperature 35.4°C, blood oxygenation 89%. What
neonatal complication is Jordan experiencing?
Answer: Necrotizing enterocolitis (Jordan is showing indications of
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is associated with decreased
gastrointestinal blood flow, or ischemia caused by other complications
, such as asphyxia and polycythemia. Infants who are breastfed have
lower risk of NEC. NEC is more common in preterm neonates and can
be fatal in up to 30% of cases. Abnormal vital signs, abdominal
distention, visible bowel loops, bloody stools, and emesis are indications
of NEC.)
●● Baby Miguel was born at 38 weeks 6 days, around 7 hours ago. His
mother's pregnancy was normal, but her delivery was difficult. Miguel
had meconium staining at delivery, and his Apgar scores were 5 at one
minute, and 7 at five minutes. You were also told in report that his
temperature at delivery was 35.8°C, and the provider has ordered a
complete blood count, blood cultures, and dopamine. He's currently on a
mechanical ventilator and receiving nitric oxide therapy. While doing
your assessment at the beginning of your shift, his vital signs are as
follows: blood pressure 48/35 mmHg, pulse 148, respirations 28,
temperature 36.6°C, and blood oxygenation 81%. What neonatal
complication is Miguel experiencing?
Answer: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (Miguel has
all the indications of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
His meconium staining, low Apgar scores, and hypothermia are all
indications of this complication. The provider will order a full laboratory
work up to rule out infection, as well as vasopressors to decrease the
right to left shunting taking place in his heart.)
●● In the NICU you're caring for baby Jasmine, who was born at 26
weeks 4 days approximately 7 weeks ago. She's been doing well so far,
but her first weeks of life were difficult and required significant
interventions, including several weeks of mechanical ventilation, sepsis,
FEATURING SOLVED QUESTIONS AND
ACCURACY CHECKED ANSWERS
●● Nursing actions for a neonate experiencing neonatal abstinence
syndrome include __________________. Select all that apply.
a. insure the room is brightly lit
b. swaddle the infant
c. inform the mother that the infant's symptoms are her fault
d. allowing for rest during feedings
e. assess feedings and daily weights
Answer: b. swaddle the infant
d. allowing for rest during feedings
e. assess feddings and daily weights
●● High-risk neonates that can be assisted by the use of a pacifier
include which of the following? Select all that apply.
a. An infant who is 1150 gm.
b. An infant diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus.
c. An infant who is gavage fed.
d. An infant withdrawing from intrauterine exposure to a narcotic.
e. An infant diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis.
,Answer: a. An infant who is 1150gm
c. An infant who is gavage feed
d. An infant withdrawing from intrauterine exposure to a narcotic
●● Which of the following neonates is at increased risk for
hyperbilirubinemia? Select all that apply.
a. Infant George, whose mother has gestational diabetes.
b. Infant Anna, born at 37 weeks 2 days.
c. Infant Juan, who has caput succedaneum.
d. Infant Tricia, whose mother's blood type is B+.
e. Infant Rohan, whose mother was induced for labor at 39 weeks 5
days.
Answer: a. Infant George, whose mother has gestational diabetes
b. Infant Anna, born at 37 weeks 2 days
e. Infant Rohan, whose mother was induced for labor at 39 weeks 5 days
●● Post-term pregnancy is a risk factor for which of the following
neonatal complications? Select all that apply.
a. Intrauterine growth restriction
b. Meconium aspiration syndrome
c. Persistent pulmonary hypertension
d. Neonatal infection
e. Polycythemia
,Answer: b. Meconium aspiration syndrome
e. Polycythemia
●● Baby Molly was born 52 hours ago at 37 weeks 4 days. An hour into
your shift, her parents push the emergency button to report something
wrong while they tried to feed her. Upon entering the room, you notice
she has tremors, a high pitched cry, and is diaphoretic. Her parents say
she was acting frantic while trying to eat and wouldn't stop crying. As
you begin to assess her, she has a seizure. What neonatal complication is
Molly experiencing?
Answer: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (Tremors, high pitched cry,
diaphoresis, and seizure after 48 hours of life are all indications of
neonatal abstinence syndrome. Molly may also be tachypenic, not
feeding well, be congested and sneezing, along with many other
symptoms. She should be assessed regularly using a scoring tool to
determine her need for care. Molly should have minimal stimulation and
be allowed to rest during feedings.)
●● In the NICU, you're providing care for baby Jordan, who was
delivered at 28 weeks 5 days about 8 days ago. On assessment, you
notice he seems lethargic and his abdomen is distended with visible
bowel loops. His vital signs are blood pressure 52/35 mmHg, pulse 183,
respirations 86, temperature 35.4°C, blood oxygenation 89%. What
neonatal complication is Jordan experiencing?
Answer: Necrotizing enterocolitis (Jordan is showing indications of
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is associated with decreased
gastrointestinal blood flow, or ischemia caused by other complications
, such as asphyxia and polycythemia. Infants who are breastfed have
lower risk of NEC. NEC is more common in preterm neonates and can
be fatal in up to 30% of cases. Abnormal vital signs, abdominal
distention, visible bowel loops, bloody stools, and emesis are indications
of NEC.)
●● Baby Miguel was born at 38 weeks 6 days, around 7 hours ago. His
mother's pregnancy was normal, but her delivery was difficult. Miguel
had meconium staining at delivery, and his Apgar scores were 5 at one
minute, and 7 at five minutes. You were also told in report that his
temperature at delivery was 35.8°C, and the provider has ordered a
complete blood count, blood cultures, and dopamine. He's currently on a
mechanical ventilator and receiving nitric oxide therapy. While doing
your assessment at the beginning of your shift, his vital signs are as
follows: blood pressure 48/35 mmHg, pulse 148, respirations 28,
temperature 36.6°C, and blood oxygenation 81%. What neonatal
complication is Miguel experiencing?
Answer: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (Miguel has
all the indications of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
His meconium staining, low Apgar scores, and hypothermia are all
indications of this complication. The provider will order a full laboratory
work up to rule out infection, as well as vasopressors to decrease the
right to left shunting taking place in his heart.)
●● In the NICU you're caring for baby Jasmine, who was born at 26
weeks 4 days approximately 7 weeks ago. She's been doing well so far,
but her first weeks of life were difficult and required significant
interventions, including several weeks of mechanical ventilation, sepsis,
