Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 79%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
Newborn delivered by vacuum extraction, has swelling on head crossing suture line. Mother asks about the swelling.A nurse is caring for a newborn who was delivered by vacuum extraction and has swelling on his head that crosses the suture line. The newborn's mother asks about the swelling on her newborn's head. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Caput succedaneum is swelling of scalp soft tissues from vacuum extraction pressure, crossing suture lines, unlike cephalhematoma, which is blood collection not crossing sutures.