A nurse is reinforcing teaching about infant car seat use with a group of new parents. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "You should position the car seat at a 30-degree angle." The correct angle for rear-facing car seats is 45 degrees. A 30-degree angle may cause the infant’s head to fall forward, increasing the risk of airway obstruction. B. "You should place a folded blanket to pad the back of the infant's head." Extra padding behind or around the infant's head is not recommended as it may interfere with the seat’s effectiveness and safety in a crash. C. "You should use a car seat with a four-point harness." The recommended harness system is a five-point harness, which provides more secure restraint at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs. D. "You should place the retainer clip at the level of the infant's armpits." Correct placement of the retainer (chest) clip is at armpit level. This ensures that the harness straps stay positioned over the shoulders, reducing the risk of injury during a crash.