While caring for a one-day-old newborn, the nurse performs her morning assessment. When assessing the chest comparatively to the head, she would expect

Explanation

• The chest circumference in a term newborn is usually about 2 cm less than the head circumference.

• Chest circumference is measured at the level of the nipples. If edema of the breasts is present, this measurement will not be accurate until the edema has subsided.

• A mature newborn with a head circumference greater than 37 cm or less than 33 cm should be carefully investigated for neurologic involvement.

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