Final answer:
The nurse should place the tape measure above the eyebrows and pinnas and around the occipital lobe to measure an infant's head circumference accurately.
Step-by-step explanation:
When measuring the head circumference of an infant, the nurse should place the tape measure above the eyebrows and pinnas and around the occipital lobe (option d). This method ensures the tape measure encircles the largest part of the skull, accounting for both the frontal (anterior) fontanel above the face and the occipital (posterior) fontanel toward the back of the head, as described in Figure 23.5.6. These fontanels are crucial during birth as they allow the bony plates of the skull to move and change shape for the head to pass through the birth canal. The proper measurement is important, not only for growth tracking but also for diagnosing potential conditions such as abnormal increases in intracranial pressure, which can be indicated by an excessively large head circumference relative to standard growth charts.
When measuring the head circumference of an infant, the nurse should place the tape measure around the forehead and around the crown of the head. This helps to ensure that the measurement is accurate and reflects the maximum circumference of the head. Placing the tape measure across the eyebrows and around the occipital lobe (option a) or above the eyebrows and pinnas and around the occipital lobe (option d) would not provide an accurate measurement.