MEDizzy - A woman is holding her newborn and exploring his body. She

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Neonates Toddlers and Children

A woman is holding her newborn and exploring his body. She tells the nurse, “While I was stroking his head, I felt a swelling over the back of his head.” The nurse explains that: “The swelling is:

ExplanationThe caput succedaneum is scalp edema as a result of labor. The anterior fontanelle is not located at the back of the head. The posterior fontanelle is a triangular “soft spot” at the occiput; it is not easily palpated when a caput succedaneum is present because of the scalp edema. A cephalhematoma is bleeding between the infant’s skull and the periosteum because of the pressures on the head during labor and birth.