An infant is brought to the emergency department by parents who report that the baby's fontanels seem to be bulging outward. What action by the healthcare provider is most appropriate?
A)Assess the baby for recent trauma to the head.
B)Measure the head circumference and plot it on a growth chart.
C)Prepare the baby for a lumbar puncture and blood cultures.
D)Determine how much fluid the baby had in the last 24 hours.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A bulging fontanel and macrocephaly are common findings in hydrocephalus. The healthcare professional should measure the baby's head circumference and plot it against a standard growth chart to determine if the baby's head is larger than expected. The baby may or may not need a trauma assessment depending on other findings, but this would not be the first action. A lumbar puncture and blood cultures would be done for suspected infection. Fluid intake probably would not have this dramatic an effect on the fontanels.

An Infant Is Brought to the Emergency Department by Parents