Want to test your diagnostics knowledge before the RNC-NIC exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 60-card diagnostics section of our 1030-card RNC-NIC (Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing) deck, which covers CBG, ABG, Capillary Blood Gas, Arterial Blood Gas and more.
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A strip shows FHR 140 bpm, moderate variability, no late or variable decelerations, and present accelerations. How is this categorized by NICHD, and what does it predict for the neonate at birth?
Show answer →Category I (Normal). It is strongly predictive of normal fetal acid-base status at the time of observation. Components: Baseline 110-160, moderate variability, no late/variable decels; early decels and accelerations may be present or absent. Clinical Pearl: No specific action required; continue routine monitoring. NCC emphasizes that Category I strips do not require NICU team presence at delivery unless other risk factors exist.
A nurse obtains a Capillary Blood Gas (CBG) on a stable 34-week infant in a 30% oxygen hood. Which parameter is the LEAST reliable when compared to an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)?
Show answer →The pO2 (Partial Pressure of Oxygen). Rationale: While pH and pCO2 in a well-perfused (warmed) capillary sample correlate well with arterial values, pO2 is consistently lower and less accurate due to venous mixing and local tissue oxygen consumption. NCC Exam Tip: Do not use CBG pO2 to titrate high levels of supplemental oxygen or to diagnose PPHN; use it primarily for monitoring ventilation (pCO2) and acid-base status. If the infant is poorly perfused, the entire CBG becomes unreliable.
Which condition is associated with a Normal Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis (NAGMA) and how is the gap maintained in this state?
Show answer →Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) or severe diarrhea. In NAGMA, the loss of bicarbonate (base) is balanced by a compensatory increase in Chloride (hyperchloremia) to maintain electroneutrality. This is why NAGMA is also called hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Exam Tip: If the AG is normal (<16) but the pH is low, look for high Chloride levels on the BMP.
During an AABR screen, the nurse notes the equipment is reporting a high artifact signal. List three common clinical factors in the NICU that interfere with the accuracy of the AABR.
Show answer →1. Patient Activity: Excessive myogenic activity (crying, sucking, moving) creates electrical noise. 2. Environmental Noise: High ambient noise in the NICU (alarms, equipment) interferes with signal detection. 3. Electrode Impedance: Poor skin preparation or dried gel leads to high resistance. Clinical Pearl: The infant should be in a quiet, post-prandial sleep state for the most accurate results. If the baby is on HFOV, the vibration may cause significant artifact.
A 32-day-old infant born at 25 weeks remains on the ventilator. CXR shows bubbly lucencies interspersed with linear streaks of opacification and generalized hyperinflation. What is this radiographic pattern characteristic of?
Show answer →Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) / Chronic Lung Disease (CLD). **Pathophysiology:** The bubbly appearance represents areas of focal emphysema and cystic changes, while the streaks represent atelectasis or fibrosis. **Exam Tip:** NCC may ask about New BPD vs. Old BPD. New BPD (seen in the surfactant/antenatal steroid era) often shows less fibrosis and more uniform lung aeration with simplified alveolar structures (alveolar simplification) rather than the severe scarring seen in the past.
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Try 30 free RNC-NIC cards firstThe full RNC-NIC deck contains 1030 flashcards, and 60 of them focus on diagnostics. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our RNC-NIC deck dedicates 60 of 1030 cards (6%) to diagnostics — always cross-check the official NCC exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the RNC-NIC preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1030 cards is a one-time $7.
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