Question

An infant, age 6 weeks, is brought to the clinic for a well-baby visit. To assess the fontanels, how should the nurse position the infant?

1. Supine
2. Prone
3. In the left lateral position
4. Seated upright

Answer 1

The appropriate position to assess an infant's fontanels is the supine position. This allows for a clear view and examination of both the anterior and posterior fontanels to monitor the infant’s health and skull development.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess the fontanels on an infant, particularly in a 6-week-old during a well-baby visit, the correct position to hold the infant is supine. When an infant is placed in a supine position, which means lying on their back, both the anterior (frontal) fontanel and the posterior (occipital) fontanel can be easily accessed and examined. It is important to monitor the fontanels as they provide information about the infant's health status and the normal growth of the skull. The anterior fontanel typically closes between nine to 18 months after birth, while the posterior fontanel often closes within the first two to three months after birth.

In the well-baby visit, checking the fontanel is crucial to ensure that the plates of the skull are developing normally and that there are no signs of dehydration or intracranial pressure. The supine position allows a clear and unobstructed view of the top of the skull, aiding in the accurate assessment of the fontanel size and tension.