Free Care of the Newborn MCQs with Answers
50 Care of the Newborn MCQs from Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Newborn care covers immediate assessment, Apgar scoring, thermal protection, airway management, cord care, identification, vitamin K, early breastfeeding and neonatal resuscitation. It also includes normal newborn findings, prevention of infection, care of premature or low-birth-weight infants, recognition of danger signs, jaundice and safe discharge counselling.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. 7
- B. 8
- C. 9
- D. 10
Explanation: The score is 9: heart rate 2, respiratory effort 2, muscle tone 2, reflex response 2, and colour 1 because the hands and feet are blue.
Correct answer: 9- A. Dry the newborn thoroughly and cover the head
- B. Bathe the newborn and place it under a fan
- C. Leave the newborn uncovered for observation
- D. Apply cold compresses to the newborn's skin
Explanation: Thorough drying removes evaporative heat loss, while covering the head reduces radiant and convective heat loss.
Correct answer: Dry the newborn thoroughly and cover the head- A. Suction the mouth and nose routinely
- B. Position the head in a neutral or slight extension
- C. Insert a finger deeply to remove secretions
- D. Keep the head sharply flexed toward the chest
Explanation: A neutral or slight sniffing position helps keep the airway open in a breathing newborn.
Correct answer: Position the head in a neutral or slight extension- A. Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag and mask
- B. Start chest compressions before giving any ventilation
- C. Give oral glucose and reassess after five minutes
- D. Place the newborn skin to skin and observe closely
Explanation: Apnoea with a heart rate below 100 beats/minute requires effective positive-pressure ventilation.
Correct answer: Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag and mask- A. Keep the stump clean and dry and fold the diaper below it
- B. Cover the stump with a tight bandage until it separates
- C. Apply petroleum jelly and talcum powder after every diaper change
- D. Pull the stump gently when it becomes loose
Explanation: Clean, dry cord care reduces infection, and folding the diaper below the stump prevents urine or stool contamination.
Correct answer: Keep the stump clean and dry and fold the diaper below it- A. Ask the mother to recognise the newborn's face
- B. Use matching identification bands for mother and newborn
- C. Record only the newborn's sex on the ward register
- D. Place the newborn in the nursery without an identification band
Explanation: Matching identification bands provide a reliable way to verify the newborn and mother during transfers, procedures, and discharge.
Correct answer: Use matching identification bands for mother and newborn- A. To prevent bleeding caused by low vitamin K stores
- B. To prevent respiratory distress caused by immature lungs
- C. To treat jaundice caused by excess bilirubin
- D. To prevent infection caused by maternal bacteria
Explanation: Newborns have low vitamin K stores and limited intestinal production, so vitamin K prevents vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
Correct answer: To prevent bleeding caused by low vitamin K stores- A. Offer breastfeeding within the first hour after birth
- B. Delay breastfeeding until the mother's milk becomes abundant
- C. Give sugar water first to prevent low blood glucose
- D. Separate the newborn for routine observation overnight
Explanation: Breastfeeding within the first hour supports early colostrum intake, bonding, and maintenance of the newborn's blood glucose.
Correct answer: Offer breastfeeding within the first hour after birth- A. Provide supervised skin-to-skin kangaroo mother care
- B. Place the newborn alone in an unheated cot
- C. Give formula feeds at every two-hour interval
- D. Expose the newborn regularly to check the skin colour
Explanation: Kangaroo mother care provides warmth, supports breastfeeding, and promotes bonding when the newborn is clinically stable.
Correct answer: Provide supervised skin-to-skin kangaroo mother care- A. Urgently refer the newborn for medical assessment
- B. Reassure the mother that normal jaundice needs no care
- C. Expose the newborn to direct sunlight at home
- D. Stop breastfeeding until the yellow colour disappears
Explanation: Jaundice involving the palms and soles with poor feeding and lethargy is a danger sign requiring urgent assessment for severe…
Correct answer: Urgently refer the newborn for medical assessment- A. Observe the newborn again after routine feeding
- B. Place the newborn under a warmer and assess breathing
- C. Give oral glucose water to improve breathing
- D. Delay assessment until the newborn is one hour old
Explanation: Tachypnoea with grunting and retractions suggests respiratory distress, so the nurse should provide warmth and immediately assess…
Correct answer: Place the newborn under a warmer and assess breathing- A. Continue observation without further intervention
- B. Begin chest compressions with assisted ventilation
- C. Give the newborn sterile water by mouth
- D. Place the newborn skin to skin with the mother
Explanation: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute after effective ventilation requires chest compressions coordinated with ventilation.
Correct answer: Begin chest compressions with assisted ventilation- A. A dry cord stump that is becoming darker
- B. A small amount of dried blood on the stump
- C. Redness spreading onto the surrounding skin
- D. Separation of the stump after several days
Explanation: Redness spreading from the cord onto the surrounding skin suggests omphalitis and requires prompt assessment and treatment.
Correct answer: Redness spreading onto the surrounding skin- A. Wearing gloves during every conversation
- B. Performing hand hygiene before and after each newborn contact
- C. Keeping all newborns together in one nursery
- D. Using antibiotic ointment on every newborn daily
Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after each newborn contact is the most important routine measure for preventing cross-infection.
Correct answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after each newborn contact- A. Give unmodified cow's milk by bottle
- B. Provide expressed breast milk using a suitable alternative method
- C. Withhold feeds for 24 hours to prevent aspiration
- D. Give glucose water until the mother has more milk
Explanation: Expressed breast milk is preferred for a preterm newborn and may be given by a suitable method according to the infant's feeding ability…
Correct answer: Provide expressed breast milk using a suitable alternative method- A. Persistent central cyanosis around the lips and tongue
- B. A soft, flat fontanelle with palpable sutures
- C. Repeated projectile vomiting after every feed
- D. Marked abdominal distension with absent bowel sounds
Explanation: A soft, flat fontanelle and palpable cranial sutures are normal newborn findings.
Correct answer: A soft, flat fontanelle with palpable sutures- A. Place the newborn under a warmer and assess blood glucose
- B. Give a bath to stimulate circulation
- C. Offer plain water before checking the baby
- D. Leave the newborn uncovered for close observation
Explanation: Hypothermia, jitteriness, and poor feeding may indicate cold stress with hypoglycaemia.
Correct answer: Place the newborn under a warmer and assess blood glucose18. A 10-hour-old newborn develops yellow discoloration of the skin. Which action is most appropriate?
- A. Reassure the mother that this is always physiological
- B. Report the jaundice promptly for medical evaluation
- C. Place the newborn in direct sunlight near a window
- D. Stop breastfeeding until the skin becomes clear
Explanation: Jaundice appearing during the first 24 hours is considered pathological until evaluated and should be reported promptly.
Correct answer: Report the jaundice promptly for medical evaluation- A. Place the newborn prone after feeding
- B. Use a firm, flat sleeping surface with the newborn supine
- C. Add pillows around the newborn for support
- D. Cover the newborn's face during cold weather
Explanation: The newborn should sleep on the back on a firm, flat surface without pillows or loose covering.
Correct answer: Use a firm, flat sleeping surface with the newborn supine- A. The newborn sneezes twice after feeding
- B. The newborn has brief hiccups after a feed
- C. The newborn is unable to feed and becomes unusually lethargic
- D. The newborn has mild peeling of the skin on the hands
Explanation: Inability to feed with unusual lethargy is a neonatal danger sign and may indicate serious infection, hypoglycaemia, or another illness.
Correct answer: The newborn is unable to feed and becomes unusually lethargicCare of the Newborn MCQs: common questions
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