Interview Questions

Post Partum

What do you do if a newborn is cold?

• Skin-to-skin

• Warm blankets

• Radiant warmer

What are signs of newborn distress?

• Grunting

• Nasal flaring

• Retractions

• Cyanosis

A patient is soaking pads every 30 minutes. What do you do?

• Fundal massage

• Assess vitals

• Call provider

• Prepare meds

Why do you want to work here?

I would like to work here because I did 2 clinical rotations at Jacobi  which as my psych and med surg rotations. At my time here I was able to work side by side with both voice and veteran nurses who were very welcoming and hands on wth the nursing students which was not aways my experience while at other hospitals. So I was very impressed by that

Tell me why you want to leave your current role?

I am looking to transition from a clinic setting because I would like to gain hospital experience and develop more acute care skills. While I did learn in that role, Im also seeking an environment wit a more structured support system for a developing nurses which I believe will give me more opportunities to expand my clinical skill and competency.

How would you handle it if a patient becomes unstable or vital signs start to drop?

I would first quickly assess the pt to confirm their change in condition…next I would immediately check airway breathing and circulation and assess their love of consciousness. Next I would look for suspected possible causes such as respiratory distress, bleeding, or allergic reaction. I would provide supportive measures such as administering oxygen, position change or raising the head of the bed or by raising their legs providing, remain with the patient, and promptly notify the charge nurse and or provider oof the patient change in condition. If te patient continues to decline I would activate the rapid response per protocol. And continue to closely monitor and document my findings and interventions taken.

What would you do if a mother refuses to breastfeed?

• Respect choice

• Educate without pressure

• Support safe formula feeding

What if you notice a mom seems withdrawn or not bonding?

• Assess for postpartum depression

• Ask open-ended questions

• Report concerns

• Provide support/resources

What would you do if you made a mistake?

• Report immediately

• Ensure patient safety

• Follow policy

• Be honest (they care about integrity)

Why did you choose or why do you want to work as a postpartum nurse?

“I chose postpartum because I recognize the importance of good assessment, prioritization, and patient education  and how it all come together. Whether it’s a new mother or an experienced mother, delivery can be physically exhausting and emotionally overwhelming in that vulnerable time, so I believe  the important role the nurse plays—being compassionate, intuitive, and attentive to their needs.

I also recognize that good nursing care can directly impact the patient’s safety and confidence transitioning from the hospital to home. So as a newer nurse, I would like to build that strong foundation in support of caring for our mothers and their babies in their transition in such a numerable time.”

What are normal newborn heart rate?

110-160

What are normal newborn RR?

30-60 breaths per min

What are normal newborn Temperature?

97.7–99.5°F

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for your patient

"During my labor and delivery clinical rotation, I was monitoring a patient who had just delivered. I noticed she seemed restless and appeared to be in pain, so I helped her turn to her side for comfort. While doing this, I observed she was bleeding more than expected. I immediately notified the nurse and the doctor, who then identified that she was experiencing postpartum hemorrhage. This experience taught me the importance of being attentive, speaking up quickly, and advocating for patients’ safety, even as a student nurse."

How you'd respond if a new mom is experiencing signs of postpartum depression. So, how would you identify it, and what would you do to support her?

"If I notice a mom showing persistent sadness, difficulty bonding, or changes in sleep or appetite, I would gently ask about how she’s feeling, validate her experience, and connect her right away to a mental health professional or social worker to make sure she gets the support she needs."

How would you support a mother in a baby-friendly hospital, specifically in early breastfeeding and skin-to-skin care?

I would ensure immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, support her with positioning for breastfeeding, and provide education on latch. I’d also keep monitoring both mom and baby closely to ensure successful feeding and bonding.

How you would handle a neonatal resuscitation if a baby was born not breathing.

I would immediately call for help, start gentle stimulation, and follow the neonatal resuscitation protocol—including positioning, suction if needed, and positive pressure ventilation—until the baby stabilizes

Newborn Hypoglycemia causes

• Prematurity

• Maternal diabetes

• Small or large for gestational age

• Poor feeding

• Birth stress

Newborn hypoglycemia Signs/Symptoms

Signs/Symptoms:

• Jitteriness

• Lethargy

• Poor feeding

Newborn Hypoglycemia Treatment

• Early feeding (breast or formula)

• Dextrose gel

• Monitor blood glucose

• Notify provider if severe

• IV glucose if needed

A patient is showing signs of postpartum hemorrhage. What steps do you take?”

Assess vitals and bleeding – identify severity.

Call for help / notify provider – escalate immediately.

Establish IV access per protocol – ready for fluids or transfusion.

Start interventions – fundal massage, oxygen if needed, monitor closely.

Stay with patient / provide reassurance – emotional support and safety.

Record blood loss (weighing pads and chucks)

What is Code Pink?

 

Infant/child abduction or missing infant alert

What steps do u take in a code pink?

1. Secure your patient – make sure your infant is safe and attended.

2. Notify security immediately – follow the hospital Code Pink protocol.

3. Lock doors/exits – prevent the infant from leaving the unit.

4. Follow instructions & assist – help the team search and account for all infants.

How many wet diapers a baby shld hv in the first few days of life?

  Day 1: 1 wet diaper

  Day 2: 2 wet diapers

  Day 3: 3 wet diapers

  Day 4: 4 wet diapers

  Day 5: 5 wet diapers

Day 6: 6-8 wet diapers

Tell me about a time you had to think critically?

A patient came in for a routine follow-up and I noticed her blood pressure was extremely high, around 180/100. Her provider had been seeing her only via telehealth, so I was essentially her eyes and ears in the clinic. I asked about medication adherence, which she hadn’t been taking for a couple of weeks, and then reviewed her history, learning she had a prior stroke. I asked stroke-specific questions and she reported migraines and blurry vision. I performed an EKG before giving the provider-prescribed metoprolol and aspirin

How do you feel about a mother breastfeeding?

I understand the benefits for both the baby and the mother. breastfeeding is crucial to the postpartum process it establishes milk supply reduces the risks of postpartum depression and helpsestablish the important bond between mother and baby I also understand how difficult learning to breastfeed can be and I know the nurse plays a role in helping to support the mother with which method she chooses to utilize

Describe a mistake you made in clinical and how you handled it

During my clinical rotation, I was assigned to a patient who had suffered a stroke and was unconscious. At first, I assumed he couldn’t hear me, so I performed his care without much verbal communication. Later, when the physician asked him to move his toe, the patient actually responded.

How do you handle stressful situations?

In a stressful situations, I stay calm, assess priorities, and act efficiently. For example, during my Med-Surg rotation, when multiple patients needed attention at the same time, I quickly identified the most urgent needs, delegated where appropriate, and communicated clearly with the team to ensure safety for everyone."