The clinic is lending a federally approved car seat to an infant's family. The nurse should explain that the safest place to put the car seat is:

A) front facing in back seat.
B) rear facing in back seat.
C) front facing in front seat with air bag on passenger side.
D) rear facing in front seat if an air bag is on the passenger side.

The rear-facing car seat provides the best protection for an infant's disproportionately heavy head and weak neck. The middle of the back seat is the safest position for the child. The infant must be rear facing to protect the head and neck in the event of an accident. Severe injuries and deaths in children have occurred from air bags deploying on impact in the front passenger seat.