Final answer:
A nurse should expect to find unequal leg length when assessing an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hip, which is indicative of the condition. Asymmetrical gluteal folds may also be present, while diminished femoral pulses are not common for this diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse assessing an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hip should anticipate unequal leg length as one of the characteristic findings. In infants, this condition may also present with asymmetrical gluteal folds due to one hip being dislocated. Less commonly, a limitation in hip abduction can be observed on the affected side. It is important to note that diminished femoral pulses are not a typical finding associated with developmental dysplasia of the hip, and this symptom may indicate a vascular issue.
The development of the hip involves the appearance of the upper and lower limb buds, flattening of the distal limb bud into a paddle shape, the first appearance of hyaline cartilage models of future bones, and the rotation of the limbs. Disruptions in these processes might contribute to abnormalities in hip development, resulting in conditions such as developmental dysplasia of the hip.