RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 2052 of 2368

Which finding suggests pathological jaundice rather than physiological jaundice?

  1. Yellow skin first noted on the third day in a newborn who feeds well
  2. Yellow skin noted at 12 hours of age
  3. Yellowing that resolves by two weeks of age
  4. Bilirubin that rises slowly in a newborn who feeds well
Show answer

Correct answer: Yellow skin noted at 12 hours of age

Pathological jaundice can appear in the first 24 hours, and bilirubin rises earlier and faster.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Healthy Newborn Care: Hyperbilirubinemia and Jaundice. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026