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 2 of 3
- A. Caput succedaneum
- B. Cephalohematoma
- C. Subgaleal haemorrhage
- D. Cranial molding
Explanation: Caput succedaneum is edema of the scalp that can cross suture lines and usually resolves without treatment.
Correct answer: Caput succedaneum- A. Normal periodic breathing
- B. Central apnea requiring ventilation
- C. Respiratory distress from infection
- D. Obstructive apnea from secretions
Explanation: Short pauses followed by regular breathing can occur as normal periodic breathing in a newborn who remains pink and comfortable.
Correct answer: Normal periodic breathing- A. Report the finding for further assessment
- B. Give oral water to stimulate the bowel
- C. Wait until the newborn is seven days old
- D. Begin rectal stimulation routinely
Explanation: Failure to pass meconium within the first 24 hours can indicate intestinal obstruction, Hirschsprung disease, or another problem and…
Correct answer: Report the finding for further assessment- A. Use appropriate incubator humidity
- B. Place a hot-water bottle beside the newborn
- C. Give extra oral water between feeds
- D. Expose the newborn during every assessment
Explanation: Controlled incubator humidity reduces evaporation through the immature skin of a very premature newborn.
Correct answer: Use appropriate incubator humidity- A. Start early feeding and monitor blood glucose
- B. Withhold feeds until the first stool passes
- C. Give plain water to prevent hypoglycaemia
- D. Monitor only if the newborn becomes cyanosed
Explanation: Infants of diabetic mothers are at risk of hypoglycaemia because of increased insulin levels after birth.
Correct answer: Start early feeding and monitor blood glucose- A. Delay bathing for at least 24 hours when possible
- B. Bathe the newborn immediately in cold water
- C. Remove vernix completely with vigorous rubbing
- D. Apply talcum powder before the first bath
Explanation: Delaying the first bath helps protect temperature stability, skin barrier function, and early breastfeeding.
Correct answer: Delay bathing for at least 24 hours when possible- A. A subconjunctival haemorrhage from birth trauma
- B. A severe bacterial eye infection
- C. A sign of neonatal sepsis
- D. A chemical injury requiring eye irrigation
Explanation: A subconjunctival haemorrhage can occur during birth and usually resolves without treatment when the newborn is otherwise well.
Correct answer: A subconjunctival haemorrhage from birth trauma- A. Stop oral feeds and obtain urgent medical assessment
- B. Continue breastfeeding and observe for 12 hours
- C. Give an oral rehydration solution slowly
- D. Place the newborn prone after each feed
Explanation: Bilious vomiting in a newborn may indicate intestinal obstruction and is an emergency.
Correct answer: Stop oral feeds and obtain urgent medical assessment- A. Place the tape above the eyebrows and around the most prominent occiput
- B. Place the tape around the chin and over the crown of the head
- C. Place the tape across the forehead and below the occiput
- D. Place the tape around the neck at the level of the shoulders
Explanation: Head circumference is measured over the maximum frontal and occipital prominences, usually just above the eyebrows and around the most…
Correct answer: Place the tape above the eyebrows and around the most prominent occiput- A. Clean the eyes gently and arrange urgent medical treatment
- B. Cover both eyes with a firm pressure dressing
- C. Reassure the mother that this is normal tearing
- D. Apply breast milk to the eyes and review tomorrow
Explanation: Purulent discharge with swollen eyelids may be serious neonatal conjunctivitis and can damage the cornea rapidly.
Correct answer: Clean the eyes gently and arrange urgent medical treatment- A. 20 to 30 breaths per minute
- B. 30 to 60 breaths per minute
- C. 60 to 80 breaths per minute
- D. 80 to 100 breaths per minute
Explanation: A healthy term newborn usually breathes 30 to 60 times per minute at rest.
Correct answer: 30 to 60 breaths per minute- A. Document normal peripheral cyanosis
- B. Place the newborn prone for sleep
- C. Assess breathing and provide oxygen support
- D. Offer breastfeeding to improve colour
Explanation: Blue colour of the tongue and lips is central cyanosis and may indicate inadequate oxygenation.
Correct answer: Assess breathing and provide oxygen support- A. Check the newborn's blood glucose promptly
- B. Give plain water by feeding bottle
- C. Place the newborn under phototherapy
- D. Wait until the next routine feeding time
Explanation: Jitteriness and lethargy can indicate neonatal hypoglycaemia, particularly in an infant of a mother with diabetes.
Correct answer: Check the newborn's blood glucose promptly- A. Begin positive-pressure ventilation
- B. Start chest compressions immediately
- C. Give oral glucose solution
- D. Continue stimulation for five minutes
Explanation: Apnoea or ineffective breathing after the initial steps requires positive-pressure ventilation.
Correct answer: Begin positive-pressure ventilation- A. Hepatitis B vaccine only after one month
- B. Hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin
- C. Oral antibiotics for seven days
- D. Vitamin K and hepatitis A vaccine
Explanation: A newborn exposed to maternal hepatitis B should receive hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin as soon as possible…
Correct answer: Hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin- A. It is expected physiological weight loss
- B. It indicates severe dehydration
- C. It confirms congenital infection
- D. It requires immediate intravenous fluids
Explanation: Some weight loss during the first days is expected because of normal fluid adjustment after birth.
Correct answer: It is expected physiological weight loss- A. Meconium changes to greenish then yellow stools
- B. Meconium continues unchanged for two weeks
- C. Stools become white and clay coloured
- D. Stools are always hard and pellet shaped
Explanation: Normal stools change from dark, sticky meconium to greenish transitional stools and then to yellow stools as milk intake increases.
Correct answer: Meconium changes to greenish then yellow stools- A. Complete the routine physical examination
- B. Assess airway and breathing immediately
- C. Give a full oral feed to restore energy
- D. Place the newborn in the mother's bed
Explanation: Sudden limpness and unresponsiveness are emergency signs. The nurse first assesses airway and breathing, calls for emergency help, and…
Correct answer: Assess airway and breathing immediately- A. Give expressed breast milk by orogastric tube
- B. Offer a large bottle feed every eight hours
- C. Give undiluted cow's milk by spoon
- D. Withhold feeds until the suck becomes strong
Explanation: A premature newborn who cannot coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing can receive expressed breast milk through an orogastric tube…
Correct answer: Give expressed breast milk by orogastric tube- A. Allow many visitors to handle the newborn
- B. Wash hands before touching the newborn
- C. Apply antibiotic powder to the umbilical stump
- D. Cover the face during every sleep period
Explanation: Hand hygiene before handling the newborn is a simple and effective way to reduce transmission of infection.
Correct answer: Wash hands before touching the newborn