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 2 of 3
- 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 glucose26. 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 eye29. 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- 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 succedaneum32. 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