Question

Newborn 40 weeks gestation. A forceps-assisted birth was necessary. The newborn weighs 9lb, 8oz. The newborn has marked caput succedaneum and marked bruising about the face, head, and shoulders. How should the nurse characterize this infant?

a) Macrosomic with signs of birth trauma

b) Small for gestational age with signs of distress

c) Average-sized with signs of congenital anomalies

d) Preterm with signs of respiratory distress syndrome

Answer 1

The nurse should characterize this infant as macrosomic with signs of birth trauma.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should characterize this infant as macrosomic with signs of birth trauma. Macrosomia refers to newborns who have a higher birth weight than average. In this case, the newborn weighs 9lb, 8oz, which is significantly larger than the average birth weight of 7.5 lb.

The marked caput succedaneum and bruising around the face, head, and shoulders are signs of birth trauma, which can occur during a forceps-assisted birth.