RN Exam Practice
Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1413 of 2368

A newborn is crying vigorously after birth through meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Which action should the nurse take?

  1. Perform routine nasopharyngeal suctioning before any other newborn care
  2. Intubate the newborn immediately to suction material below the vocal cords
  3. Place the newborn skin-to-skin with the mother without routine suctioning
  4. Start positive pressure ventilation with a bag-mask and oxygen right away
Show answer

Correct answer: Place the newborn skin-to-skin with the mother without routine suctioning

Breathing or crying newborns need no routine tactile stimulation or suctioning, even with meconium in the fluid.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), High-risk Newborn Care: Neonatal Resuscitation. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026