A collection of blood between the skull bone and its periosteum is known as a cephalhematoma.To reassure the new parents whose infant develops such a soft bulge,it is important that the nurse be aware that this condition:
A) may occur with spontaneous vaginal birth.
B) happens only as the result of a forceps or vacuum delivery.
C) is present immediately after birth.
D) will gradually absorb over the first few months of life.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bleeding may occur during a spontaneous vaginal delivery as a result of the pressure against the maternal bony pelvis.The soft,irreducible fullness does not pulsate or bulge when the infant cries.Low forceps and other difficult extractions may result in bleeding.However,cephalhematomas can also occur spontaneously.The swelling may appear unilaterally or bilaterally and is usually minimal or absent at birth.It increases over the first 2 to 3 days of life.Cephalhematomas disappear gradually over 2 to 3 weeks.A less common condition results in calcification of the hematoma,which may persist for months.

A Collection of Blood Between the Skull Bone and Its