A nurse receives a handoff report.
Which newborn should the nurse assess first?

Choice A rationale

Caput succedaneum is swelling of the soft tissues of the newborn's scalp, often caused by pressure during vaginal delivery. It is a separate condition from cephalohematoma, which involves bleeding between the periosteum and the skull bone. Therefore, cephalohematoma does not increase the risk for caput succedaneum.

Choice B rationale

Jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, is a common condition in newborns due to the breakdown of fetal red blood cells and the immature liver's inability to efficiently process bilirubin. Cephalohematomas involve the rupture of blood vessels, leading to an increased breakdown of red blood cells. This releases more bilirubin into the bloodstream, thus elevating the risk of jaundice in infants with cephalohematomas. Normal total bilirubin levels in newborns range from 1 to 12 mg/dL, varying with age in days.

Choice C rationale

Infection is a risk associated with any break in the skin or invasive procedure, but a cephalohematoma itself is a collection of blood beneath the periosteum and does not inherently create an open wound or direct pathway for infection. While infection of a cephalohematoma is possible, it is not a primary increased risk associated with its development.

Choice D rationale

Erythema toxicum is a common, benign skin rash seen in newborns, characterized by small, yellow-white papules or pustules surrounded by red skin. Its etiology is unknown but it is thought to be an inflammatory reaction of the hair follicles. It is not related to the presence or development of a cephalohematoma.

Choice A rationale

Fetal hypoxemia, a deficiency in oxygen reaching the fetal tissues, typically manifests as late decelerations in the fetal heart rate tracing, which reflect uteroplacental insufficiency. While severe hypoxemia can lead to various FHR patterns, variable decelerations are more directly associated with mechanical factors affecting the umbilical cord.

Choice B rationale

Altered fetal cerebral blood flow can be a consequence of various factors, including hypoxemia and cord compression, and can influence the fetal heart rate. However, variable decelerations are specifically caused by events that directly impede blood flow through the umbilical vessels rather than a generalized alteration in cerebral circulation.

Choice C rationale

Uteroplacental insufficiency, a condition where the placenta is unable to deliver an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, typically results in late decelerations, indicating fetal distress due to chronic hypoxia. Variable decelerations, in contrast, have a more abrupt onset and recovery, reflecting acute changes in umbilical cord blood flow.

Choice D rationale

Umbilical cord compression occurs when the umbilical cord, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, is squeezed or constricted. This compression leads to a transient decrease in fetal blood flow and oxygenation, resulting in a rapid drop and subsequent return of the fetal heart rate, which is characteristic of variable decelerations. The shape, timing, and abrupt nature of variable decelerations directly correlate with the intermittent pressure on the umbilical cord.