A nurse is reinforcing teaching with new parents about car seat safety. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Explanation & Rationale
A) "Put small cushion under the newborn's head for support.": This statement is incorrect. Placing a small cushion or any additional padding under a newborn’s head in a car seat is not recommended. Extra padding can interfere with the proper fit of the harness and could pose a safety risk in the event of a crash. The car seat should be used as designed, without extra padding that could affect the infant's positioning. B) "Position the car seat at a 90° angle.": This statement is incorrect. The car seat should be positioned at a 45-degree angle, not 90 degrees. A 45-degree angle helps prevent the infant’s head from falling forward, which can obstruct the airway and cause breathing difficulties. Positioning the seat at the correct angle ensures that the baby’s head and neck are properly supported. C) "Place the shoulder harnesses at the level of the infant's shoulders.": This statement is correct. For optimal safety, the shoulder harness straps should be at or just below the infant's shoulders when they are in a rear-facing car seat. This positioning helps to keep the baby secure and ensures the harness fits properly in the event of an accident. The harness should be snug and positioned correctly to provide the best protection. D) "Keep the airbag on if the car seat is in the front seat.": This statement is incorrect. It is recommended that infants and young children always be placed in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle, as this is the safest position. Airbags can be dangerous to infants if the car seat is in the front seat. If the car seat must be placed in the front seat (which is not recommended), the airbag should be turned off to prevent injury in the event of a crash.