What physical characteristic should a nurse expect to observe in a post-term infant?

A post-term infant is typically defined as one that is born after 42 weeks of gestation. One common physical characteristic observed in such infants is desquamation, or peeling of the skin. This occurs because the skin has been exposed to amniotic fluid for an extended period, leading to a loss of the outer layer of the skin. The skin of post-term infants may appear more dry and flaky compared to those born at term or preterm.

In contrast, lanugo, the fine hair covering the body, is generally present in preterm infants and diminishes as gestation progresses. Vernix caseosa, a protective coating on the skin, is typically thicker in preterm infants and decreases in quantity as gestation advances, often appearing minimal or absent in post-term infants. Hypertonicity, or increased muscle tone, may be seen in some infants but is not a defining characteristic of post-term infants specifically. Thus, desquamation is the most expected characteristic in a post-term infant, aligning with the physiological changes that occur due to prolonged gestation.