The nurse assesses 4 infants. Which assessment finding would require follow-up by the health care provider?

Question

The nurse assesses 4 infants.  Which assessment finding would require follow-up by the health care provider?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infant growth is fast paced during the first year of life, with birth weight doubling by age 6 months and tripling by age 12 months. During the first year, birth length increases by approximately 50%. At birth, head circumference is slightly more than chest circumference, but these equalize by age 12 months. (Options A and B) At birth, the infant has non-ossified membranes called fontanelles; these "soft spots" lie between the bones of the cranium. The 2 most noticeable are the anterior and posterior fontanelles, which are soft and non-fused. Fontanelles should be flat, but slight pulsations noted in the anterior fontanelle are normal as is temporary bulging when the infant cries, coughs, or is lying down. The posterior fontanelle fuses by age 2 months, and the anterior fontanelle fuses by age 18 months. (Option D) This assessment shows tripling of the birth weight by age 12 months, a normal finding. Educational objective: Infants should double in birth weight by age 6 months and triple in birth weight by age 12 months. At birth, head circumference is slightly more than chest circumference, but these equalize by age 12 months. The posterior fontanelle fuses by age 2 months, and the anterior fontanelle fuses by age 18 months.

The Nurse Assesses 4 Infants