What complication should the nurse monitor for when observing a fetal scalp monitor site on a newborn?

Monitoring for infection at a fetal scalp monitor site is crucial because the use of this device involves inserting a electrode through the fetal scalp, which can create an entry point for bacteria. The scalp monitor tracks the fetal heart rate during labor, and the presence of any breach in the skin can increase the risk of infection. Signs of infection might include redness, swelling, discharge, or fever, which the nurse must promptly assess.

In contrast, while injury to the scalp or surrounding tissues can occur during insertion or removal of the monitor, the priority during care is the potential for infection. Feeding problems and respiratory distress are not directly linked to the fetal scalp monitor's insertion site; they are more related to other physiological issues the newborn may experience after delivery rather than complications arising specifically from the scalp monitor itself. Therefore, vigilance towards signs of infection at the site is the most pertinent concern.