NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Clinical Patient CareHard
A medical assistant is performing a pediatric physical examination. To accurately measure the head circumference of an infant, the MA should place the measuring tape across which of the following landmarks?
- AAt the hairline and around the mastoid processes.
- BJust above the eyebrows and around the occipital protuberance.
- CAround the ears and across the parietal eminences.
- DAcross the bridge of the nose and below the occipital bone.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Just above the eyebrows and around the occipital protuberance.
To accurately measure head circumference, the tape measure should be placed just above the eyebrows (supraorbital ridge) anteriorly and around the occipital protuberance posteriorly, ensuring the largest circumference is measured.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The hairline and mastoid processes are not the widest points and would result in an inaccurate, smaller measurement.
- C. Measuring around the ears and across the parietal eminences might be close but is not as precise or standard as including the supraorbital ridge and occipital protuberance.
- D. Measuring across the bridge of the nose and below the occipital bone would also yield an inaccurate, smaller measurement and is not standard practice.
Infant Head Circumference
A routine measurement taken on infants and young children to monitor growth and development, specifically brain growth.
- Measured until age 3 (or 36 months).
- Tape placed just above eyebrows and around occipital protuberance.
- Ensures largest circumference is captured.
- Plot on growth charts for tracking.
Memory trick: Head: High Brow, Back Bone!