All Free Paediatric Nursing MCQs with Answers
Every Paediatric Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
350 questions · page 14 of 18
- A. To prevent bleeding caused by low clotting factors
- B. To prevent infection caused by maternal bacteria
- C. To improve breathing during the first hours
- D. To prevent jaundice caused by immature liver function
Explanation: Newborns have low vitamin K stores and limited intestinal production, so they are at risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
Correct answer: To prevent bleeding caused by low clotting factors- A. The newborn lies prone, upright between the mother's breasts
- B. The newborn lies supine, flat across the mother's abdomen
- C. The newborn lies prone, loosely covered with the face turned down
- D. The newborn lies lateral, with the head lower than the body
Explanation: During kangaroo mother care, the diapered newborn is held upright and prone against the mother's bare chest, with the head turned to one…
Correct answer: The newborn lies prone, upright between the mother's breasts- A. The baby's mouth is wide open with more areola visible above
- B. The baby's lips are tightly closed around only the nipple
- C. The mother feels sharp nipple pain throughout the feeding
- D. The baby's cheeks become deeply dimpled during sucking
Explanation: An effective latch includes a wide-open mouth, the chin touching the breast, and more areola visible above the upper lip.
Correct answer: The baby's mouth is wide open with more areola visible above- A. Perform hand hygiene before and after contact
- B. Wear sterile gloves for every routine contact
- C. Clean the newborn's skin with antiseptic after handling
- D. Keep the newborn separate from all other newborns
Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after newborn contact is the most effective routine measure for reducing transmission of microorganisms.
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after contact265. A newborn receiving phototherapy has an eye covering in place. Which nursing action is appropriate?
- A. Remove the eye covering during feeding and check the eyes
- B. Apply oil to the skin before each phototherapy session
- C. Keep the newborn completely covered to prevent heat loss
- D. Stop feeding until the serum bilirubin level becomes normal
Explanation: The eye covering protects the retina and should be removed regularly for eye assessment and during feeding, according to unit practice.
Correct answer: Remove the eye covering during feeding and check the eyes- A. This may be normal periodic breathing in a newborn
- B. This confirms severe neonatal respiratory distress
- C. This indicates an obstructed airway requiring suction
- D. This is neonatal apnea requiring immediate chest compressions
Explanation: Brief pauses of less than about 10 seconds without colour or heart-rate change can occur as periodic breathing in newborns.
Correct answer: This may be normal periodic breathing in a newborn- A. Mild molding of the skull after vaginal birth
- B. A tense bulging fontanelle while the newborn is quiet
- C. Persistent central cyanosis during normal breathing
- D. Repeated projectile vomiting after every feed
Explanation: Mild molding occurs when the skull bones overlap during passage through the birth canal and usually resolves with time.
Correct answer: Mild molding of the skull after vaginal birth- A. This is meconium, the normal first stool of a newborn
- B. This is a sign of intestinal bleeding in every newborn
- C. This indicates that the newborn has developed diarrhoea
- D. This shows that breast milk is causing intestinal irritation
Explanation: Meconium is a dark greenish-black, sticky stool formed before birth and normally passed during the first days of life.
Correct answer: This is meconium, the normal first stool of a newborn269. A newborn becomes apnoeic and unresponsive while under observation. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Call for help and begin immediate neonatal resuscitation assessment
- B. Give oral glucose and wait for the newborn to respond
- C. Place the newborn prone and observe for spontaneous recovery
- D. Start phototherapy to reduce possible neurological injury
Explanation: Apnea and unresponsiveness are emergencies requiring immediate assessment of airway and breathing, activation of help, and neonatal…
Correct answer: Call for help and begin immediate neonatal resuscitation assessment- A. Conduction to a cold weighing scale
- B. Convection from moving room air
- C. Radiation to nearby cold windows
- D. Evaporation of water from the skin
Explanation: Evaporation occurs when moisture on the newborn’s skin changes into vapour and removes heat.
Correct answer: Evaporation of water from the skin- A. Supine on a firm, flat surface
- B. Prone on a soft mattress
- C. Side-lying with loose blankets
- D. Semi-sitting in a padded seat
Explanation: Placing a newborn supine on a firm, flat surface reduces the risk of sleep-related suffocation and sudden unexpected infant death.
Correct answer: Supine on a firm, flat surface- A. The toes fan when the sole is stroked
- B. The arms extend, then return toward the body
- C. The head turns toward a touched cheek
- D. The fingers close around an examiner’s finger
Explanation: The Moro reflex causes sudden extension and abduction of the arms, followed by flexion toward the body, usually after a startle.
Correct answer: The arms extend, then return toward the body- A. Caput succedaneum
- B. Cephalohaematoma
- C. Subgaleal haemorrhage
- D. Moulding of the skull bones
Explanation: A cephalohaematoma is bleeding beneath the periosteum, so it remains limited by the suture lines.
Correct answer: Cephalohaematoma- A. Crying loudly for several minutes
- B. Turning away from the breast
- C. Rooting and bringing hands to the mouth
- D. Sleeping deeply after missing a feed
Explanation: Rooting, hand-to-mouth movements and increased alertness are early hunger cues and allow feeding before the newborn becomes distressed.
Correct answer: Rooting and bringing hands to the mouth- A. Give plain water before any milk
- B. Begin feeding promptly and monitor glucose
- C. Keep the infant fasting for six hours
- D. Give intravenous glucose immediately to every infant
Explanation: Infants of diabetic mothers are at increased risk of low blood glucose, so prompt feeding and glucose monitoring are important even when…
Correct answer: Begin feeding promptly and monitor glucose276. A newborn is receiving phototherapy for significant jaundice. Which nursing action is appropriate?
- A. Stop all feeds until the treatment ends
- B. Apply oil to improve light absorption
- C. Monitor temperature, feeding and urine output
- D. Cover the entire body except the face
Explanation: Phototherapy requires monitoring for temperature changes, adequate feeding and hydration, including urine output.
Correct answer: Monitor temperature, feeding and urine output- A. Provide gentle tactile stimulation and assess the airway
- B. Offer a bottle to stimulate sucking
- C. Place the newborn prone and leave unattended
- D. Start chest compressions immediately
Explanation: The first response to apnoea with a pulse is to assess airway and breathing and provide gentle stimulation.
Correct answer: Provide gentle tactile stimulation and assess the airway- A. A soft, flat anterior fontanelle
- B. A transient bluish colour of the hands and feet
- C. An absent red reflex in one eye
- D. Mild peeling of the skin on the hands
Explanation: An absent or unequal red reflex may indicate an eye disorder such as congenital cataract and requires prompt assessment and referral.
Correct answer: An absent red reflex in one eye279. A premature newborn suddenly stops breathing and becomes bradycardic. Which action has priority?
- A. Document the event before intervening
- B. Assess the airway and begin positive-pressure ventilation if needed
- C. Wait one minute to see whether breathing restarts
- D. Give oral glucose before checking respirations
Explanation: Apnoea with bradycardia threatens breathing and circulation, so airway assessment and assisted ventilation take priority.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and begin positive-pressure ventilation if needed- A. 35.0°C
- B. 36.5°C
- C. 38.2°C
- D. 39.0°C
Explanation: A normal newborn axillary temperature is about 36.5°C to 37.5°C. Temperatures below this range suggest cold stress, while higher readings…
Correct answer: 36.5°C