The nurse is performing a gestational age assessment on a newborn. Which characteristic shows the greatest gestational maturity?
A) The infant's arms and legs are extended.
B) There is some peeling and cracking of the skin.
C) There are few rugae on the scrotum and the testes are high in the scrotum.
D) The arm can be positioned with the elbow beyond the midline of the chest.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Peeling, cracking, dryness, and a few visible veins in the skin are signs of maturity in the newborn. Extended arms and legs is a sign of preterm infants. Few rugae on the scrotum show a younger age in the newborn. The arm being able to be positioned with the elbow beyond the midline of the chest is a result of the scarf sign and indicates a newborn of a younger age.

The Nurse Is Performing a Gestational Age Assessment on a Newborn