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NEWBORN NCLEX QUESTIONS EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST EDITION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn 15 minutes after birth. Which findings are
expected during
the first period of reactivity? (Select all that apply.)
A. Heart rate of 170 beats/min.
B. Audible fine crackles on auscultation.
C. Marked decrease in motor activity.
D. Spontaneous tremors and crying.
E. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min.
A, B, D. Rationale: According to the source, the first period of reactivity lasts
up to 30 minutes after birth. During this time, the heart rate increases to 160-180
beats/min, fine
crackles can be heard on auscultation, and the infant is alert with spontaneous
tremors, crying,
and head movement. Choice C is incorrect because decreased motor activity occurs
in the
second stage (period of decreased responsiveness). Choice E is incorrect because
respirations
are irregular and range between 60 and 80 breaths/min in this first stage; 20
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breaths/min is
bradypnea.
2. Which assessment finding in a 45-minute-old newborn requires immediate
intervention by the
nurse?
A. Heart rate of 110 beats/min while sleeping.
B. Shallow, unlabored respirations of 58 breaths/min.
C. Presence of audible grunting and nasal flaring.
D. Visible peristaltic waves over a rounded abdomen.
C. Rationale: The source states that while grunting and nasal flaring can be
present in the first period of reactivity, these should cease within the first hour after
birth. At 45
minutes, these signs are approaching the limit of normalcy and warrant close
observation.
Choice A is normal as the HR falls to a baseline of 100-120 after 30 minutes. Choice
B is
normal as shallow respirations up to 60 are expected. Choice D is a normal finding
during the
period of decreased responsiveness.
3. During the period of decreased responsiveness (60-100 minutes after birth),
which
behavioral state is most characteristic of a healthy neonate?
A. Active alert with spontaneous startles.
B. Frequent passage of meconium and increased mucus.
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C. Tachycardia and tachypnea.
D. Deep sleep or marked decrease in motor activity.
D. Rationale: The source describes the period of decreased responsiveness
as a time where the infant either sleeps or has a marked decrease in motor activity.
Choice A is
characteristic of the first period of reactivity. Choices C and B are characteristic of
the second
period of reactivity, which occurs between 2 and 8 hours after birth.
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4. A nurse is observing a newborn 4 hours after birth. Which finding indicates
the infant is in the
second period of reactivity?
A. Heart rate baseline of 100 beats/min.
B. Labored respirations with a rate of 25 breaths/min.
C. Passage of meconium stool.
D. Absence of bowel sounds.
C. Rationale: The second period of reactivity occurs between 2 and 8 hours
after birth. The source notes that meconium is commonly passed at this time. Choice
A is
incorrect as tachycardia (increased heart rate) occurs in this phase. Choice B is
incorrect as
NEWBORN NCLEX QUESTIONS EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST EDITION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
1. A nurse is assessing a newborn 15 minutes after birth. Which findings are
expected during
the first period of reactivity? (Select all that apply.)
A. Heart rate of 170 beats/min.
B. Audible fine crackles on auscultation.
C. Marked decrease in motor activity.
D. Spontaneous tremors and crying.
E. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min.
A, B, D. Rationale: According to the source, the first period of reactivity lasts
up to 30 minutes after birth. During this time, the heart rate increases to 160-180
beats/min, fine
crackles can be heard on auscultation, and the infant is alert with spontaneous
tremors, crying,
and head movement. Choice C is incorrect because decreased motor activity occurs
in the
second stage (period of decreased responsiveness). Choice E is incorrect because
respirations
are irregular and range between 60 and 80 breaths/min in this first stage; 20
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breaths/min is
bradypnea.
2. Which assessment finding in a 45-minute-old newborn requires immediate
intervention by the
nurse?
A. Heart rate of 110 beats/min while sleeping.
B. Shallow, unlabored respirations of 58 breaths/min.
C. Presence of audible grunting and nasal flaring.
D. Visible peristaltic waves over a rounded abdomen.
C. Rationale: The source states that while grunting and nasal flaring can be
present in the first period of reactivity, these should cease within the first hour after
birth. At 45
minutes, these signs are approaching the limit of normalcy and warrant close
observation.
Choice A is normal as the HR falls to a baseline of 100-120 after 30 minutes. Choice
B is
normal as shallow respirations up to 60 are expected. Choice D is a normal finding
during the
period of decreased responsiveness.
3. During the period of decreased responsiveness (60-100 minutes after birth),
which
behavioral state is most characteristic of a healthy neonate?
A. Active alert with spontaneous startles.
B. Frequent passage of meconium and increased mucus.
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C. Tachycardia and tachypnea.
D. Deep sleep or marked decrease in motor activity.
D. Rationale: The source describes the period of decreased responsiveness
as a time where the infant either sleeps or has a marked decrease in motor activity.
Choice A is
characteristic of the first period of reactivity. Choices C and B are characteristic of
the second
period of reactivity, which occurs between 2 and 8 hours after birth.
PASS YOUR NCLEX ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT!
I help nursing students master NCLEX strategies, critical thinking, SATA
questions, pharmacology, and test-taking techniques with confidence.
Join my coaching program today and prepare smarter, not harder.
Contact:
4. A nurse is observing a newborn 4 hours after birth. Which finding indicates
the infant is in the
second period of reactivity?
A. Heart rate baseline of 100 beats/min.
B. Labored respirations with a rate of 25 breaths/min.
C. Passage of meconium stool.
D. Absence of bowel sounds.
C. Rationale: The second period of reactivity occurs between 2 and 8 hours
after birth. The source notes that meconium is commonly passed at this time. Choice
A is
incorrect as tachycardia (increased heart rate) occurs in this phase. Choice B is
incorrect as
