How would the nurse optimally reassure the parents of an infant who develops a cephalhematoma?
A) A cephalhematoma may occur with a spontaneous vaginal birth.
B) A cephalhematoma only happens as a result of a forceps- or vacuum-assisted delivery.
C) It is present immediately after birth.
D) The blood will gradually absorb over the first few months of life.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should explain that bleeding between the skull and the periosteum of a newborn may occur during a spontaneous vaginal delivery as a result of the pressure against the maternal bony pelvis.Low forceps and other difficult extractions may result in bleeding.However,a cephalhematoma can also spontaneously occur.Swelling may appear unilaterally or bilaterally,is usually minimal or absent at birth,and increases over the first 2 to 3 days of life.Cephalhematomas gradually disappear over 2 to 3 weeks.A less common condition results in the calcification of the hematoma,which may persist for months.

How Would the Nurse Optimally Reassure the Parents of an Infant