If a term infant is noted to have three spots on the lower extremities, what should the nurse document?

The correct selection, café au lait spots, is characterized by their light brown color and well-defined edges, appearing as flat lesions on the skin. These spots can appear anywhere on the body, including the lower extremities, and are generally benign. In infants, it is common to note café au lait spots, especially in those with a familial tendency.

Mongolian spots, while they can also appear on the lower extremities, typically present as bluish-gray marks and are most often seen on the sacral area or back. Port-wine stains are reddish-purple vascular lesions that do not have the same characteristic coloration or presentation as café au lait spots, and they usually do not fade over time. Vascular birthmarks encompass a broader category, which can include various types of marks, but do not specifically identify the characteristics of the spots described in the question. Therefore, documenting the presence of café au lait spots accurately reflects the specific appearance and context of the findings.