A nurse is teaching car seat safety to a parent of an infant who weighs 4.5 kg (10 lb). Which of the following car seat positions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Body weight: Body weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid loss, as changes in weight directly reflect changes in fluid balance. Monitoring weight is essential for assessing dehydration and guiding fluid replacement therapy.

B. Skin integrity: While changes in skin turgor and skin integrity can be indicators of

dehydration, they are less reliable in infants, especially if they have certain skin conditions or are very young.

C. Respiratory ratE. Although increased respiratory rate can occur as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis associated with dehydration, it is not as reliable as changes in body weight for assessing fluid loss.

D. Blood pressurE. While blood pressure may be affected by severe dehydration, it is not as sensitive or practical as monitoring body weight for assessing fluid loss in infants.

A. Increased intracranial pressurE. Pulsation and bulging of the fontanel may be signs of

increased intracranial pressure in infants. However, it is important to differentiate between normal fontanel characteristics and abnormal signs of elevated intracranial pressure. In this case, the pulsation and bulging are likely normal responses to crying and changes in intracranial pressure during the newborn period.

B. Dehydration: Dehydration typically presents with sunken fontanels rather than pulsation and bulging. Dehydration is a serious condition that requires prompt assessment and intervention, but it is not indicated by the findings described in the scenario.

C. Overhydration: Overhydration is not typically associated with pulsation and bulging of the fontanel. Overhydration may lead to fluid overload and edema but does not directly affect fontanel characteristics.

D. These are normal findings: Pulsation and brief bulging of the fontanel in response to crying are considered normal findings in newborns. Fontanels allow for the flexibility of the skull bones during childbirth and provide space for brain growth during infancy. Pulsation and bulging may occur temporarily during crying or changes in intracranial pressure and are not necessarily

indicative of pathology.