Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is the primary cause of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome?

1. Pneumonia

2. Surfactant deficiency

3. Congenital anomalies

4. Meconium aspiration

The correct answer is: Surfactant deficiency

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) primarily arises due to surfactant deficiency in preterm infants. Surfactant is a substance produced in the lungs that reduces surface tension, allowing for proper lung expansion and preventing the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) from collapsing. In preterm infants, particularly those born before 34 weeks of gestation, the lungs may not have developed enough to produce sufficient surfactant, leading to difficulties in breathing. The lack of surfactant results in increased surface tension in the alveoli, causing them to collapse and leading to impaired gas exchange. As a result, affected infants experience respiratory distress shortly after birth, characterized by rapid breathing, grunting, and retractions of the chest wall. Treatment typically involves supplemental oxygen and the administration of exogenous surfactant to help improve lung function. In contrast, other conditions such as pneumonia, congenital anomalies, and meconium aspiration can lead to respiratory distress but are not the primary cause of NRDS. Pneumonia may result in infection-induced breathing difficulties, congenital anomalies may involve structural problems in the respiratory system, and meconium aspiration occurs when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid, potentially compromising lung