A nurse is assessing a postterm newborn who was born at 42 weeks gestation. Which assessment finding would be most characteristic of postterm infants?

A 42-week gestation newborn is admitted to the well-baby nursery. The nurse notes dry, cracked, peeling skin with an absence of vernix caseosa and loose skin folds indicating minimal subcutaneous fat. The infant appears alert with a "worried" facial expression, long nails, and abundant hair.

Priority Nursing Actions:

• Monitor blood glucose immediately and per protocol due to depleted glycogen stores and high risk for hypoglycemia.
• Assess for meconium staining of skin, nails, and umbilical cord, which may indicate meconium aspiration syndrome.
• Maintain thermoregulation using a radiant warmer or skin-to-skin contact, as the loss of subcutaneous fat and increased surface area predispose to hypothermia.
• Provide meticulous skin care: avoid harsh soaps, apply emollients to prevent further transepidermal water loss, and monitor for cracks or fissures that could serve as portals for infection.
• Initiate early feeding to replenish energy stores, monitoring for polycythemia (which can occur with chronic placental insufficiency) and associated feeding intolerance.