Final answer:
When discharging a newborn with a right cephalhematoma, nurses should instruct parents to observe for signs of jaundice and ensure proper hydration by monitoring wet diapers. Education about normal neonatal physical characteristics and homeostatic adjustments is also helpful.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse identifies a right cephalhematoma on a 1-day-old newborn. The best advice for parents at discharge would be to observe for signs of jaundice, as cephalhematomas can sometimes lead to increased break down of red blood cells, potentially resulting in jaundice. Parents should monitor the skin and eyes of the newborn for any yellowing and report these changes to their healthcare provider. Furthermore, it's important for parents to understand the normal physical characteristics and homeostatic adjustments of a neonate during the early days after birth.
It's also essential for parents to ensure their newborn is hydrated, with a sufficient intake of breast milk or formula, as indicated by the production of an adequate number of wet diapers. Monitoring the number of wet diapers can help parents to know if their newborn is getting enough fluids, as neonatal kidneys are still maturing. Rigid advice on the frequency of feedings is not usually provided as feeding on demand is often recommended. Assessment of fontanels for tenseness and changes in size can be a sign of dehydration or other issues, so awareness of normal fontanel closure times is beneficial, with the posterior fontanel usually closing within the first few months after birth.