Growth and Development of Newborns and Infants

The mother of an infant is confused after being told by her dentist not to let her baby go to bed with a bottle of milk. She does not agree with that suggestion. Which response should the nurse prioritize when addressing this situation with the mother?

"Bottles given at bedtime can cause erosion of the enamel on the teeth."

A 9-month-old has been brought to the clinic for a well-child visit. The mother reports her son was born 6 weeks prematurely. During the data collection, the child's mother reports her son seems to be a few months "behind" what she recalls from her older children. What is the best response by the nurse?

"Delays are normal when a child is premature."

the parents of an 8-month-old infant voice concern to the nurse that their infant is not developing motor skills as they should. What question should the nurse ask to help determine if their fears are warranted?

"Does your infant move a toy back and forth from one hand to the other when you give it to them?"

The nurse is providing a nutrition workshop for the parents of infants. The nurse understands that further instruction is required when hearing which comments from the parents? Select all that apply.

"Food is so expensive. I can't afford for my child to leave any food on the plate.", "I have tried at least 10 times with every green vegetable and I can't get my son to like them.", "I let my child eat whatever he wants right now so that we don't argue about food. Hopefully he will like healthy foods when he grows up."

A client who is breastfeeding asks the nurse if she can give the newborn a pacifier. Which nursing response is most appropriate?

"It is recommended to wait until breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a pacifier."

The student nurse is reviewing the records of a pediatric client. Which statement about the client's progress indicates the need for further instruction?

"Maturation refers to the child's increases in body size."

The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of caregivers related to the nutritional needs of the infant. One caregiver asks why the 6-month-old infant needs to have solid foods when breast milk is such a good source of nutrition. What is the best response by the nurse?

"Milk will not fully provide the infant's needs for iron, which is found in solid foods."

The mother of a 6-week-old infant reports she doesn't know if her child recognizes her face yet. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?

"Since about 4 weeks of age your child has been able to recognize those who are around him often."

A teen mom asks the discharge nurse if it is okay to sleep in bed with her baby. She says her mom always did it with her siblings and it seemed okay. How should the nurse respond?

"The baby can sleep in your room in an infant crib, but not in an adult bed."

The mother of an infant questions the nurse about her baby's teething. The nurse provides client education. Which statement by the mother indicates understanding of the information provided?

"The first teeth that will likely appear are the lower incisors."

A mother of a 10-month-old states to the nurse, "I brush my child's teeth every day with flavored kids' toothpaste." Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

"Toothpaste is not necessary; it is the scrubbing that is required."

During the first visit to the pediatrician's practice the nurse is performing an admission interview and assessment of a 4-week-old infant. The mother states, "I am sure my baby girl knows my smell because she is much more settled in my arms rather than my mother's arms when she is upset." What is an appropriate response by the nurse?

"You may be right, since infants can sense their mother's smell as early as 7 days old."

The nurse enters a client's room to find the new mother crying softly. The client states, "I had my heart set on breastfeeding but my infant was born with a cleft lip. My dreams of breastfeeding are destroyed." Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

"You may still breastfeed your infant. I will show you appropriate techniques to use."

The mother of a newborn reports she does not think her baby likes his formula since he spits up after only taking a small amount. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

"Your baby's stomach is small and can only hold about 0.5 to 1 oz at birth."

The infant weighs 6 lb 8 oz (2,950 g) at birth. If the infant is following a normal pattern of growth, what would be an expected weight for this child at the age of 12 months?

19 lb 8 oz (8825 g)

When performing neurological reflexes on the infant, which primitive reflex will be present longest?

Babinski

Which milestone would the nurse expect an infant to accomplish by 8 months of age?

Sitting without support

The nurse is caring for the family with a 2-month-old boy with colic. The mother reports feeling very stressed by the baby's constant crying. Which intervention would provide the most help in the short term?

Urging the baby's mother to take time for herself away from the child.

Which assessment findings if noted in a 4-month-old infant would the nurse recognize as normal growth and development?

holds head up when prone, bears partial weight on legs, reflexes are fading

The nurse conducting a 6-month well-baby check-up assesses for the presence/absence of the asymmetric tonic neck reflex. At this age the reflex:

should have disappeared.

A 12-month-old seen at a walk-in clinic weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces (3750 g) at birth. Weight now is 20 pounds 8 ounces (9300 g). The nurse determines:

the child weighs less than expected for age.

The nurse is assessing an infant at the 6-month well-baby check-up. The nurse notes that at birth the baby weighed 8 lb (3600 g) and was 20 in (50.8 cm) in length. Which finding is consistent with the normal infant growth and development?

weight of 16 lb (7300 g) and length of 26 in (66.0 cm)

The nurse is providing client education to the parent about bathing the infant. What would be important to instruct the parent?

Bath time provides an opportunity for play

The nurse is educating the parents of a newborn prior to discharge home. The parents demonstrate teaching was successful when making which statement(s)? Select all that apply.

"I will not be concerned if my newborn has stools that begin to have a yellowish color to them.", "I understand it is normal for newborns to lose 5% to 10% of their bodyweight after birth.", "My newborn can see up-close things, like our faces, better than things at a distance."

The nurse is caring for a parent following the birth of the newborn. The new parent asks the nurse, "When is the best time for me to start bonding with my baby?" Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

"You should interact with your newborn when the eyes are open wide and bright."

The parent of 1-week-old infant voices concerns about the infant's weight loss since birth. At birth the infant weighed 7 lb (3.2 kg); the infant currently weighs 6 lb 5 oz (2.9 kg). Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

"Your infant's weight loss is within the expected range."

A mother of a 9-month-old 18-pound (8.2 kg) infant asks the nurse about choosing the best car seat. What should the nurse recommend?

a rear-facing 5-point harness restraint

The nurse is reviewing the diet of an 8-month-old infant with the mother who reveals she has been using evaporated milk to make the formula. Which additional ingredient should the nurse ensure she is including in the formula?

Iron

The parent of a 3-month-old infant is concerned because the infant does not yet sit by oneself. Which statement best reflects average sitting ability?

Most infants do not sit steadily until 8 months; this infant is normal.

The nurse is examining an 8-month-old girl for appropriate development during a regular check-up. Which observation points to a developmental risk?

Uses only the left hand to grasp

A 5-month-old infant being assessed was born at 32 weeks. The nurse doing the well-child check-up should compare the baby to what norms?

the development of a 3-month-old

An infant has been brought to the clinic for a well-child check. The infant is 12 months of age. The child's birth weight was 6 pounds, 7 ounces. What is the anticipated weight for the child at this visit?

19 pounds, 5 ounces

The nurse is assessing a 1-year-old at the well-child annual visit and notes the child is meeting the growth parameters. After noting the birth weight was 8 pounds (3.6 kg) and length was 20 inches (50.8 cm) long, which measurements reflecting height/weight would the nurse expect to document for this visit?

24 pounds (10.8 kg) and 30 inches (75 cm)

The infant measures 21.5 in (54.6 cm) at birth. If the infant is following a normal pattern of growth, what would be an expected height for the infant at the age of 6 months?

27.5 in (70 cm)

The nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to the parent of a 2-month-old infant in relation to growth and development. Which statement from the parent demonstrates proper understanding?

"I can expect my infant to be able to raise the head up when on the stomach within the next month."

The nurse is assessing the sleeping practices of the parents of a 4-month-old girl who wakes repeatedly during the night. Which parent comment might reveal a cause for the night waking?

They put her to bed when she falls asleep.