ATI Capstone Class Exam Week 12 Related

Review ATI Capstone Class Exam Week 12 related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a newborn delivered by vaginal birth with a vacuum assist. The newborn’s mother asks about the swollen area on her son’s head. After palpation to identify that the swelling crosses the suture line, which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

  • A. This is a cephalohematoma which can occur spontaneously.
  • B. A caput succedaneum will subside in a few days.
  • C. Mongolian spots can be found on the skin of many newborns.
  • D. This is a telangiectatic nevus and no treatment is needed.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: A caput succedaneum will subside in a few days. A caput succedaneum is a diffuse swelling of the scalp that occurs due to pressure on the baby's head during labor. It typically resolves on its own within a few days. In this scenario, since the swelling crosses the suture line, it is likely a caput succedaneum. Palpation of the swelling helps to differentiate it from cephalohematoma, which is confined by suture lines. Choice A is incorrect because a cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the periosteum and skull bone, not the same as caput succedaneum. Choices C and D are incorrect as they refer to different conditions unrelated to the swelling on the newborn's head.