NR 327 Maternal-Child Nursing: Newborn Assessment & Care Practice
Pack 2026/2027 Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute of life. The heart rate is 110 bpm,
there is a slow/weak cry, some flexion of extremities, the baby grimaces when
suctioned, and the body is pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Answer: B
Rationale: The score is 6: Heart rate >100 (2), slow/weak cry (1), some flexion (1),
grimace (1), and acrocyanosis (1).
2. Which of the following is the priority nursing action immediately after the
birth of a healthy newborn?
A. Administer Vitamin K injection
B. Apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
C. Obtain the newborn’s weight and length
D. Dry the newborn and maintain thermoregulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Drying the infant is the priority to prevent heat loss via evaporation and
stimulate breathing.
,3. A nurse notes a swelling on the newborn’s head that does not cross the
suture line. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Cephalohematoma
B. Caput succedaneum
C. Molding
D. Hydrocephalus
Answer: A
Rationale: A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the periosteum and the
skull bone that does not cross suture lines.
4. What is the normal respiratory rate range for a resting newborn?
A. 20 to 40 breaths per minute
B. 60 to 90 breaths per minute
C. 40 to 80 breaths per minute
D. 30 to 60 breaths per minute
Answer: D
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 30 to 60 breaths per minute, often
with short periods of apnea (less than 15 seconds).
5. A nurse is teaching a mother about umbilical cord care. Which statement by
the mother indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will give my baby a tub bath every day until the cord falls off.’
B. ‘I will clean the area with plain water if it gets soiled.’
C. ‘I will keep the diaper folded below the cord.’
D. ‘I will contact the doctor if I see any redness or discharge.’
Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns should only receive sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump has
fallen off to prevent infection and promote drying.
, 6. The nurse observes small, white, pinpoint spots on the newborn’s nose and
chin. The nurse correctly identifies these as:
A. Milia
B. Erythema toxicum
C. Mongolian spots
D. Lanugo
Answer: A
Rationale: Milia are distended sebaceous glands which appear as tiny white spots; they are
normal and disappear spontaneously.
7. Which reflex is the nurse assessing when jarring the newborn’s crib or
lowering the head slightly?
A. Babinski reflex
B. Tonic neck reflex
C. Moro reflex
D. Rooting reflex
Answer: C
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex is elicited by a sudden change in position or loud
noise, resulting in symmetrical abduction and extension of arms.
8. What is the primary reason for administering Vitamin K to a newborn?
A. To prevent neonatal jaundice
B. To promote blood clotting and prevent hemorrhage
C. To stimulate the production of red blood cells
D. To enhance the immune system
Answer: B
Rationale: Newborns are Vitamin K deficient because their sterile intestines cannot
produce it yet; it is given to prevent hemorrhagic disease.
Pack 2026/2027 Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn at 1 minute of life. The heart rate is 110 bpm,
there is a slow/weak cry, some flexion of extremities, the baby grimaces when
suctioned, and the body is pink with blue extremities. What is the APGAR score?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Answer: B
Rationale: The score is 6: Heart rate >100 (2), slow/weak cry (1), some flexion (1),
grimace (1), and acrocyanosis (1).
2. Which of the following is the priority nursing action immediately after the
birth of a healthy newborn?
A. Administer Vitamin K injection
B. Apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
C. Obtain the newborn’s weight and length
D. Dry the newborn and maintain thermoregulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Drying the infant is the priority to prevent heat loss via evaporation and
stimulate breathing.
,3. A nurse notes a swelling on the newborn’s head that does not cross the
suture line. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Cephalohematoma
B. Caput succedaneum
C. Molding
D. Hydrocephalus
Answer: A
Rationale: A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the periosteum and the
skull bone that does not cross suture lines.
4. What is the normal respiratory rate range for a resting newborn?
A. 20 to 40 breaths per minute
B. 60 to 90 breaths per minute
C. 40 to 80 breaths per minute
D. 30 to 60 breaths per minute
Answer: D
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 30 to 60 breaths per minute, often
with short periods of apnea (less than 15 seconds).
5. A nurse is teaching a mother about umbilical cord care. Which statement by
the mother indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will give my baby a tub bath every day until the cord falls off.’
B. ‘I will clean the area with plain water if it gets soiled.’
C. ‘I will keep the diaper folded below the cord.’
D. ‘I will contact the doctor if I see any redness or discharge.’
Answer: A
Rationale: Newborns should only receive sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump has
fallen off to prevent infection and promote drying.
, 6. The nurse observes small, white, pinpoint spots on the newborn’s nose and
chin. The nurse correctly identifies these as:
A. Milia
B. Erythema toxicum
C. Mongolian spots
D. Lanugo
Answer: A
Rationale: Milia are distended sebaceous glands which appear as tiny white spots; they are
normal and disappear spontaneously.
7. Which reflex is the nurse assessing when jarring the newborn’s crib or
lowering the head slightly?
A. Babinski reflex
B. Tonic neck reflex
C. Moro reflex
D. Rooting reflex
Answer: C
Rationale: The Moro (startle) reflex is elicited by a sudden change in position or loud
noise, resulting in symmetrical abduction and extension of arms.
8. What is the primary reason for administering Vitamin K to a newborn?
A. To prevent neonatal jaundice
B. To promote blood clotting and prevent hemorrhage
C. To stimulate the production of red blood cells
D. To enhance the immune system
Answer: B
Rationale: Newborns are Vitamin K deficient because their sterile intestines cannot
produce it yet; it is given to prevent hemorrhagic disease.
