Question

a nurse is assessing a newborn and obtains the newborns head circumference. the head circumference is 35 cm. the nurse then measures the newborns chest circumference. which chest circumference measurement would the nurse document as expected and within normal parameters?

37 cm
28 cm
33 cm
30 cm

Explanation:

Identify the clinical relationship

The nurse is assessing a newborn's anthropometric measurements. We must determine the expected relationship between head and chest circumference.

Apply newborn assessment standards

Using Immediate Newborn Care guidelines, a term newborn's head circumference typically ranges from \(32\text{ to }36.8\text{ cm}\). The chest circumference is normally \(2\text{ to }3\text{ cm}\) smaller than the head circumference.

Calculate the expected range

Given a head circumference of \(35\text{ cm}\), the expected chest circumference should be:

$$ 35\text{ cm} - 3\text{ cm} = 32\text{ cm} $$

$$ 35\text{ cm} - 2\text{ cm} = 33\text{ cm} $$

Thus, the expected chest circumference is between \(32\text{ and }33\text{ cm}\).

Evaluate the options

• \(37\text{ cm}\): Too large (larger than the head).
• \(28\text{ cm}\): Too small (more than \(3\text{ cm}\) smaller).
• \(33\text{ cm}\): Within the expected \(2\text{ to }3\text{ cm}\) difference.
• \(30\text{ cm}\): Too small (\(5\text{ cm}\) difference).

Answer:

• (A) 37 cm
• (B) 28 cm
• (C) 33 cm (Correct answer)
• (D) 30 cm