A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a new guardian about car seat safety. Which of the following statements by the guardian indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Choice A rationale The car seat harness straps should be positioned at or slightly below the baby's shoulders when the car seat is installed rear-facing. Positioning the straps above the shoulders could allow the baby to slide up and out of the harness in a crash due to the forces involved, compromising the restraint system's effectiveness and increasing injury risk. Choice B rationale The retainer clip, also called the chest clip, must be positioned at the level of the armpits across the center of the chest or sternum, not the abdomen. This critical placement ensures that the harness straps are kept correctly positioned over the baby's shoulders, preventing the straps from slipping off during a collision and maintaining optimal force distribution across the torso. Choice C rationale A 45-degree recline angle for a rear-facing car seat is generally recommended to prevent the infant's head from falling forward, which can compromise the airway, particularly in newborns or infants with poor head control. This specific angle is crucial for maintaining a safe and open airway and is often achieved using built-in level indicators on the car seat base. Choice D rationale Current safety recommendations advise keeping a child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, typically until they reach the maximum weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer, which often extends well beyond 12 months of age, frequently up to 2 to 4 years of age, for maximum spinal protection.