A nurse is assessing a full-term newborn and finds a maturity rating of 40 weeks. Which findings may indicate the neonate is small for gestational age (SGA)?

The admission weight of 4 pounds, 15 ounces indicates that the newborn may be small for gestational age (SGA). In a full-term newborn, which is typically considered to be 39 to 40 weeks gestation, a weight below the 10th percentile for that gestational age is a primary indicator of being SGA. The average weight for full-term infants is usually around 5.5 to 8.8 pounds, making 4 pounds, 15 ounces significantly lower than that range and a potential indication of poor fetal growth during pregnancy.

Other findings such as head to heel length of 17 inches and frontal occipital circumference of 12.5 inches may be within a normal range for a full-term infant, and normal skin condition without any signs of distress typically suggests that the overall health and maturity are appropriate despite the weight. Therefore, the weight measurement is the most direct indicator of possible SGA status in this scenario.