A nurse observes that an infant has an elongated head shape due to molding during delivery.

The nurse explains to the parents that this condition is called:

Carbon monoxide poisoning.

This is because the client reports having a headache and vertigo after turning on his furnace for the first time this season.These are common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur when carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, builds up in the blood due to exposure to combustion fumes.

The furnace may have been a source of carbon monoxide if it was not well vented or maintained.

The other statements are wrong because:

Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness. It is not related to carbon monoxide exposure or furnace use.

Migraine is a type of headache that causes throbbing pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes visual disturbances. It is not caused by carbon monoxide exposure or furnace use, but by genetic and environmental factors.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a condition that causes brief episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position. It is caused by tiny crystals in the inner ear that become dislodged and stimulate the balance sensors. It is not related to carbon monoxide exposure or furnace use.

It helps identify potential developmental delays.The New Ballard Scale is a scale that estimates the gestational age of a newborn infant based on physical and neuromuscular characteristics.The scale can be used when there is no reliable obstetrical information or a major discrepancy between the estimated date of delivery and the infant’s appearance.The scale is accurate only within plus or minus 2 weeks and can be used up to 4 days after birth, but usually within the first 24 hours.The scale has been refined and expanded to include extremely premature neonates.

Choice A is wrong because the New Ballard Scale does not determine the newborn’s nutritional needs.It only assesses the gestational maturity of the newborn based on physical and neuromuscular signs.

Choice B is wrong because the New Ballard Scale does not assess the baby’s cognitive development.It only estimates the gestational age of the newborn, which is the primary determinant of organ maturity.

Choice D is wrong because the New Ballard Scale does not measure the newborn’s respiratory function.It only evaluates the physical and neuromuscular characteristics of the newborn, such as skin texture, lanugo, plantar surface, breast tissue, eye/ear development and genitalia.