The nurse is teaching a parent of a 2-month-old client about car seat safety.
Which of the following statements by the client would indicate the need for further teaching?
The nurse is teaching a parent of a 2-month-old client about car seat safety.
Which of the following statements by the client would indicate the need for further teaching?
A. "I positioned my child's car seat at a 45-degree angle."
[10%]
B. "I notice my child is more comfortable after adding padding behind their back."
[60%]
C. "Once my child is strapped into the seat, I can place a blanket over them."
[20%]
D. "I've placed the chest clip at the level of my child's armpit."
[11%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Maternal & Newborn Health
Lesson
Newborn
Client Need
Test Plan
Safety & Infection Control
Related Topic
Accident/Error/Injury Prevention
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice B is correct. This statement requires follow-up. Adding extra padding behind the baby’s back can interfere with the proper fit and function of the car seat harness, reducing its effectiveness in a crash. Only padding provided by the manufacturer should be used.
Choice A is incorrect. This statement is correct because a rear-facing infant car seat should be positioned at approximately a 45-degree angle to ensure the baby’s airway remains open. A too upright seat can cause the infant’s head to fall forward, increasing the risk of airway obstruction. Most car seats have angle indicators or adjusters to help achieve the correct recline.
Choice C is incorrect. Placing a blanket over the child after securing them in the seat is acceptable. However, it’s important that the blanket does not interfere with the harness fit.
Choice D is incorrect. This statement is correct because the chest clip should always be positioned at armpit level to align the harness straps over the infant’s shoulders properly. If the clip is too low, the straps may slip off, reducing protection in a crash. If too high, it could pose a choking hazard
Related Videos
2 Key Topics
Car Seats
8.4 Specialized Safety Measures
Additional Info
When counseling a client about car seat safety, the nurse should provide the following information -
✓ Parents should not place an infant in the front seat of a car with a passenger-side airbag.
✓ Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing child safety seat in the car's back seat until age two years or until they reach the highest weight or height recommended by the car seat manufacturer.
✓ Rolled blankets and towels may be needed between the groin and legs to prevent slouching and can be placed along the sides to minimize lateral movements.
✓ Placing the infant in a safety seat at a 45-degree angle will prevent slumping and airway obstruction.
✓ Padding is never placed underneath or behind the infant because it creates slack in the harness, leading to the possibility of the child's ejection from the seat in the event of a crash.
