Free Neonatal Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Neonatal Nursing MCQs from Paediatric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Neonatal nursing covers the newborn’s transition to extrauterine life, Apgar assessment, thermoregulation, breastfeeding, cord care, routine examination and prevention of infection. It also includes care of premature or low-birth-weight infants, neonatal jaundice, hypoglycaemia, respiratory problems and danger signs requiring urgent referral.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. 6
- B. 7
- C. 8
- D. 9
Explanation: The scores are 2 for heart rate, 2 for respirations, 2 for muscle tone, 2 for reflex response, and 1 for colour, giving 9?
Correct answer: 8- A. Place the newborn under a fan for ventilation
- B. Dry the newborn thoroughly and cover the head
- C. Bathe the newborn in warm water
- D. Leave the newborn uncovered for observation
Explanation: Drying removes evaporative heat loss, while covering the head reduces further heat loss.
Correct answer: Dry the newborn thoroughly and cover the head- A. Separate the newborn for routine bathing
- B. Offer glucose water before the first feed
- C. Place the newborn skin-to-skin with the mother
- D. Delay breastfeeding until the mother has rested
Explanation: Skin-to-skin contact supports warmth, bonding, and early initiation of breastfeeding.
Correct answer: Place the newborn skin-to-skin with the mother- A. Apply antibiotic powder after every diaper change
- B. Keep the cord clean and dry and fold the diaper below it
- C. Cover the cord tightly with a wet dressing
- D. Pull off the cord when it begins to loosen
Explanation: Keeping the stump clean and dry and preventing urine or stool contact helps reduce infection.
Correct answer: Keep the cord clean and dry and fold the diaper below it5. A newborn is being examined in the nursery. Which finding requires urgent assessment and referral?
- A. Mild peeling of skin on the hands
- B. Respiratory grunting with chest retractions
- C. Small white spots on the nose
- D. A bluish colour limited to the hands and feet
Explanation: Grunting and chest retractions indicate increased work of breathing and possible respiratory distress, so airway and breathing take…
Correct answer: Respiratory grunting with chest retractions- A. Give a full bath with warm water
- B. Place the newborn skin-to-skin under warm covering
- C. Offer plain water by mouth
- D. Keep the newborn uncovered for frequent observation
Explanation: Skin-to-skin care under warm covering provides effective warmth and also supports cardiorespiratory stability.
Correct answer: Place the newborn skin-to-skin under warm covering- A. Reassure the mother that this is always normal
- B. Encourage sunlight exposure at home
- C. Notify the clinician promptly for assessment
- D. Stop breastfeeding until the colour clears
Explanation: Jaundice appearing during the first 24 hours is potentially pathological and requires prompt assessment, including bilirubin evaluation.
Correct answer: Notify the clinician promptly for assessment- A. Place the newborn prone and leave the room
- B. Check the blood glucose and notify the clinician
- C. Give a routine bath to stimulate activity
- D. Wait until the next scheduled feeding
Explanation: Jitteriness and poor feeding may indicate neonatal hypoglycaemia, which can cause neurological injury if untreated.
Correct answer: Check the blood glucose and notify the clinician- A. Temperature instability with poor feeding
- B. Sneezing once after feeding
- C. Small amounts of breast milk regurgitation
- D. Transient hiccups after crying
Explanation: Temperature instability combined with poor feeding is a neonatal danger sign and may indicate sepsis.
Correct answer: Temperature instability with poor feeding- A. Begin oral feeding to improve energy
- B. Place the newborn supine and reassess later
- C. Provide immediate respiratory support and call for urgent help
- D. Wrap the newborn tightly and continue routine observations
Explanation: Tachypnoea, nasal flaring, and central cyanosis show serious respiratory compromise, so breathing is the immediate priority.
Correct answer: Provide immediate respiratory support and call for urgent help- 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 contact15. 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 newborn19. 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 skinNeonatal Nursing MCQs: common questions
Are these Neonatal Nursing MCQs free?
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How many Neonatal Nursing MCQs are on this page?
There are 50 Neonatal Nursing MCQs in the Paediatric Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every Neonatal Nursing MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each Neonatal Nursing question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
Can I take a timed Neonatal Nursing test?
Yes. The practice button on this page starts a free Neonatal Nursing test drawn from the Paediatric Nursing bank. It marks each answer instantly, gives you a score at the end, and can be retaken as many times as you like.