A new mother asks about her baby's swollen scalp. How should the nurse explain the condition?

The swelling on a newborn's scalp is typically related to a condition known as caput succedaneum, which is common after delivery, especially with vaginal births. This occurs due to the pressure exerted on the baby's head during labor, resulting in fluid accumulation in the soft tissues of the scalp. The body's natural process will gradually resolve this swelling within a few days, as the excess fluid is absorbed. It is a normal occurrence and usually does not require medical intervention, hence the reassurance that it will resolve on its own.

In contrast, the other options suggest different scenarios that do not accurately reflect the common, benign nature of this condition. While blood collections, such as cephalohematoma, can occur as well, they have different characteristics and implications. Additionally, positioning the infant or aspirating the swelling is typically unnecessary and not a standard treatment for routine caput succedaneum. Thus, the correct response appropriately reflects the typical course of the common swelling observed in newborns.