The anterior fontanel normally closes at what age:

Appeared in: RML PRE 2025

Explanation

The anterior fontanel is the large, diamond-shaped soft spot on the top of an infant's head.
It typically closes between 12 and 18 months of age.
This timing allows for the rapid brain growth that occurs during the first year of life; the brain nearly doubles in size.
Its closure is a key developmental milestone in pediatric nursing assessments.

Option A: The fontanels are open at birth to allow the bony plates of the skull to compress and overlap (molding) during passage through the birth canal.
Option B: This timeframe is characteristic for the closure of the posterior fontanel, not the anterior one.
Option D: Closure of the anterior fontanel this late is considered abnormal. Delayed closure (failure to close by 24 months) can be a sign of underlying medical conditions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Normal infant developmental milestones: Fontanel closure as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses routinely palpate the fontanels during infant assessments to gauge hydration status and intracranial pressure. A sunken fontanel suggests dehydration, while a tense or bulging fontanel can indicate increased intracranial pressure.
Educating parents about the normal feel and appearance of the fontanel is a key nursing responsibility. Parents should be taught to report any significant changes, such as bulging or sinking, to their healthcare provider.
What if? If an infant's fontanel feels tense and bulging only when they are crying, the nurse should first attempt to calm the infant and re-assess with the infant in a quiet, upright position. If the bulging persists when the infant is calm, it is a significant sign of increased intracranial pressure and requires immediate medical escalation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'anterior fontanel' and 'closes'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question about a specific developmental milestone in infants.
Mentally differentiate between the two main fontanels: the anterior (larger, diamond-shaped, closes later) and the posterior (smaller, triangular, closes earlier).
Recall the specific closure timeframes for each. The anterior fontanel closes between 12-18 months.
Scan the options to find the one that matches the correct timeframe for the anterior fontanel.
Eliminate distractors, noting that '6-8 weeks' is a common distractor as it relates to the posterior fontanel.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 172-174

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 300-302

Practise the full RML PRE 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.