Maternal Newborn ATI Practice Questions Related

Review Maternal Newborn ATI Practice Questions related questions and content

A nurse is assessing a newborn upon admission to the nursery. Which of the following should the nurse expect?

  • A. Bulging Fontanels
  • B. Nasal Flaring
  • C. Length from head to heel of 40 cm (15.7 in)
  • D. Chest circumference 2 cm (0.8 in) smaller than the head circumference
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When a nurse is assessing a newborn upon admission to the nursery, it is expected that the chest circumference will be smaller than the head circumference. This is a normal finding in a newborn, where the head circumference is slightly larger than the chest circumference due to the proportionate sizes of the newborn's head and chest. This difference helps accommodate the vital organs within the chest cavity while allowing for the growth and development of the brain. Therefore, a chest circumference that is 2 cm smaller than the head circumference is a typical and expected finding in a newborn assessment.