The nurse is presenting an in-service session on assessing gestational age in newborns. Which information should be included?
a. The newborn's length and weight are the most accurate indicators of gestational age.
b. The newborn's Apgar score and the mother's estimated date of confinement (EDC) are combined to determine gestational age.
c. The newborn's posture at rest and arm recoil are two physical signs used to determine gestational age.
d. The newborn's chest circumference compared to the head circumference is the determinant for gestational age.
ANS: C
With the newborn quiet and in a supine position, the degree of flexion in the arms and legs and the arm recoil can be used to help determine gestational age. Length, weight, and the chest/head circumference reflect the newborn's size and weight, which vary according to race and gender. Birth weight alone is a poor indicator of gestational age and fetal maturity. The Apgar score is an indication of the newborn's adjustment to extrauterine life, and the mother's EDC is of no importance in determining gestational age.
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