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 15 of 18
- A. Cephalohaematoma
- B. Caput succedaneum
- C. Cranial fracture
- D. Subgaleal haemorrhage
Explanation: Caput succedaneum is oedema of the scalp that can cross suture lines and is often present at birth.
Correct answer: Caput succedaneum282. A mother asks how often a healthy breastfed newborn should usually feed. Which response is best?
- A. Once every 2 hours
- B. About 8 to 12 times daily
- C. Four feeds during the daytime
- D. Only when the breasts feel full
Explanation: Most healthy newborns breastfeed on demand about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
Correct answer: About 8 to 12 times daily- A. Keep it clean and dry
- B. Cover it with a tight bandage
- C. Apply antibiotic powder routinely
- D. Pull it off when it loosens
Explanation: The stump should be kept clean and dry, with the diaper folded below it to reduce contamination.
Correct answer: Keep it clean and dry- A. Measure axillary temperature regularly
- B. Wrap the infant in several blankets
- C. Place the infant close to the heater
- D. Leave the warmer at the highest setting
Explanation: Regular temperature assessment allows the nurse to adjust warming and prevent both hypothermia and hyperthermia.
Correct answer: Measure axillary temperature regularly- A. Strong cry after feeding
- B. Jitteriness with poor feeding
- C. Pink skin with flexed limbs
- D. Regular breathing during sleep
Explanation: Jitteriness, poor feeding, lethargy, weak cry, and apnoea are possible signs of neonatal hypoglycaemia.
Correct answer: Jitteriness with poor feeding- A. Colour of the mother’s eyes
- B. Urine and stool characteristics
- C. Length of the newborn’s fingernails
- D. Presence of lanugo on the back
Explanation: Urine and stool findings help assess bilirubin excretion and possible cholestasis or illness.
Correct answer: Urine and stool characteristics- A. Suction the mouth before the nose
- B. Suction the nose before the mouth
- C. Use deep forceful suctioning first
- D. Continue suctioning until the infant cries
Explanation: If suction is needed, the mouth is cleared before the nose so that oral secretions are not inhaled when the infant gasps.
Correct answer: Suction the mouth before the nose- A. Persistent respiratory distress
- B. A normal response to crying
- C. Severe neonatal apnoea
- D. Definite respiratory infection
Explanation: Newborns may breathe faster while crying, so the respiratory rate should be counted when the infant is quiet.
Correct answer: A normal response to crying- A. Delay vaccination until six weeks
- B. Give hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin promptly
- C. Give oral antibiotics for seven days
- D. Separate the newborn from breastfeeding permanently
Explanation: An infant born to a mother who is hepatitis B surface antigen positive should receive hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin…
Correct answer: Give hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin promptly- A. Colour, pulse, reflex irritability, activity, respiration
- B. Weight, length, head size, feeding, temperature
- C. Blood pressure, pulse, glucose, colour, urine output
- D. Cry, feeding, stool, muscle tone, head circumference
Explanation: The Apgar score assesses appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
Correct answer: Colour, pulse, reflex irritability, activity, respiration- A. Radiation to nearby cold surfaces
- B. Convection to moving surrounding air
- C. Conduction to a cold examination surface
- D. Evaporation from wet skin surfaces
Explanation: Convection is heat loss caused by moving cool air around the newborn. Evaporation occurs when moisture dries, while conduction occurs…
Correct answer: Convection to moving surrounding air- A. I will give water between breastfeeds in hot weather
- B. I will give breast milk without other foods for six months
- C. I will give formula at night to help the baby sleep
- D. I will start cereal when the baby is two months old
Explanation: Exclusive breastfeeding means giving only breast milk, including expressed breast milk, for the first six months unless medically…
Correct answer: I will give breast milk without other foods for six months- A. Offer a large feed less often by bottle
- B. Provide prescribed milk through a feeding tube
- C. Withhold feeds until the sucking reflex improves
- D. Give plain water between small breastfeeds
Explanation: A preterm infant with poor coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing may require tube feeding as prescribed.
Correct answer: Provide prescribed milk through a feeding tube- A. The jaundice is limited to the face
- B. The infant passes dark urine and pale stools
- C. The infant is alert and feeds every few hours
- D. The yellow colour becomes less visible after feeding
Explanation: Dark urine and pale stools suggest impaired bile flow and possible conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia, requiring prompt medical assessment.
Correct answer: The infant passes dark urine and pale stools- A. Document it as a normal newborn variation
- B. Cover the eye and reassess at six weeks
- C. Arrange prompt assessment for an eye disorder
- D. Clean the eye with saline and repeat tomorrow
Explanation: An absent or abnormal red reflex may indicate cataract or another serious eye condition and needs prompt specialist assessment.
Correct answer: Arrange prompt assessment for an eye disorder296. A newborn is being weighed in a cool room. Which action best limits heat loss during the procedure?
- A. Leave the infant uncovered for accurate weighing
- B. Place the infant on a prewarmed, dry weighing surface
- C. Position the infant beside an open door for ventilation
- D. Use a cold metal surface to prevent measurement error
Explanation: A prewarmed, dry surface reduces conductive heat loss during weighing. The newborn should be covered promptly afterward because exposed…
Correct answer: Place the infant on a prewarmed, dry weighing surface- A. Offer frequent extra feeds to stimulate the bowel
- B. Report the findings promptly for urgent assessment
- C. Give a rectal thermometer to stimulate stool passage
- D. Reassure the parents that this is normal transition
Explanation: Failure to pass meconium with distension and vomiting may indicate intestinal obstruction or another urgent disorder.
Correct answer: Report the findings promptly for urgent assessment- A. The infant remains warm with a pink colour
- B. The abdomen becomes distended and tense
- C. The infant sleeps quietly between feeds
- D. The infant passes a small amount of urine
Explanation: A new tense abdominal distension during tube feeding may indicate feeding intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis and requires immediate…
Correct answer: The abdomen becomes distended and tense- A. Use clean gloves without preparing the skin
- B. Perform hand hygiene and use aseptic technique
- C. Reuse the lancet after wiping it with alcohol
- D. Leave the puncture site uncovered and unobserved
Explanation: Hand hygiene and aseptic technique reduce introduction of organisms during neonatal procedures.
Correct answer: Perform hand hygiene and use aseptic technique- A. Assess hydration and notify the neonatal provider
- B. Give extra water between breastfeeding sessions
- C. Wait until 48 hours because delayed urination is common
- D. Insert a urinary catheter without further assessment
Explanation: Most newborns pass urine within the first 24 hours. Failure to void by 24 hours requires assessment for dehydration, renal or urinary…
Correct answer: Assess hydration and notify the neonatal provider