More questions
More questions ( 18 Questions)
A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment of a newborn.
What finding should alert the nurse to a potential problem with the newborn’s fontanelles?
Sunken fontanelles are usually a sign of dehydration, which is not a problem with the fontanelles themselves, but with the fluid balance of the newborn.
Bulging fontanelles. Bulging fontanelles can be a sign of increased intracranial pressure or intracranial and extracranial tumors. This is a potential problem for the newborn’s brain and health and should be evaluated by imaging studies.
A diamond-shaped anterior fontanelle is normal for a newborn. The anterior fontanelle is the largest and most important for clinical evaluation. It has an average size of 2.1 cm and a median time of closure of 13.8 months.
A triangular posterior fontanelle is also normal for a newborn. The posterior fontanelle is smaller than the anterior one and normally closes by 8 weeks.
Bulging fontanelles. Bulging fontanelles can be a sign of increased intracranial pressure or intracranial and extracranial tumors. This is a potential problem for the newborn’s brain and health and should be evaluated by imaging studies.
Choice A is wrong because sunken fontanelles are usually a sign of dehydration, which is not a problem with the fontanelles themselves, but with the fluid balance of the newborn.
Choice C is wrong because a diamond-shaped anterior fontanelle is normal for a newborn. The anterior fontanelle is the largest and most important for clinical evaluation. It has an average size of 2.1 cm and a median time of closure of 13.8 months.
Choice D is wrong because a triangular posterior fontanelle is also normal for a newborn. The posterior fontanelle is smaller than the anterior one and normally closes by 8 weeks.