Question of the Week – December 8, 2021

Rationale:

The anterior fontanel is normally 2 to 3 cm in width, 3 to 4 cm in length, and diamond-like in shape. It can be described as soft, which is normal, or full and bulging, which could indicate increased intracranial pressure. Conversely a depressed fontanel could mean that the infant is dehydrated. The condition of the anterior fontanel is not generally influenced by a postterm delivery.

Additional info:

Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing

Client Needs: Physiological Integrity

Clinical Judgment/Cognitive Skills: Analyze cues

Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment

Content Area: Maternity: Newborn

Health Codes: N/A

Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment; Development