Pediatric Nursing Essentials – ATI Engage Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key pediatric nursing concepts from ATI Engage lecture, spanning newborn development, health promotion, infection control, communicable diseases, immunology, cardiovascular, hematological, immune, neurologic, endocrine, and safety topics. Ideal for rapid review and self-testing before exams.

Normal Newborn Temperature Range

36.5 °C–37.5 °C (97.7 °F–99.3 °F); ≥38 °C (100.4 °F) requires evaluation.

Normal Newborn Heart Rate

109–164 beats per minute, fluctuates with sleep, activity, or illness.

Normal Newborn Respiratory Rate

30–60 breaths/min with brief (<10-second) apnea episodes considered normal.

Expected Newborn Weight Loss

Up to 10 % of birth weight in first days; regained by end of second week.

Anterior Fontanelle

Diamond-shaped soft spot; should be flat/firm—sunken suggests dehydration, bulging suggests ↑ICP/infection.

Posterior Fontanelle

Triangle-shaped soft spot; normally flat/firm and closes earlier than anterior fontanelle.

Root Reflex

Newborn turns head toward cheek stimulus to locate nipple for feeding.

Moro Reflex

Startle response with arm extension/abduction when newborn experiences sudden movement or loud sound.

Babinski Reflex

Fanning upward of great toe when sole is stroked; normal in infants up to ~1 year.

Tonic Neck Reflex

“Fencing” posture when head turned; arm and leg on face side extend, opposite side flexes.

Step Reflex

Rhythmic “walking” motions when newborn held upright with feet touching surface.

Acrocyanosis

Bluish hands/feet in newborn from peripheral vasoconstriction; usually resolves spontaneously.

Umbilical Cord Care

Keep stump clean/dry; falls off in 10 days-3 weeks; report redness, discharge, foul odor.

Car Seat Safety for Newborns

Rear-facing seat, snug flat harness, chest clip at armpit level; no bulky clothes under straps.

Tummy Time

Prone, supervised play to strengthen neck/shoulder muscles and prevent positional plagiocephaly.

Safe Sleep Practices

Back to sleep on firm surface, no loose bedding/toys; avoid bed-sharing to reduce SIDS.

Stranger Anxiety

Developmental fear of unfamiliar people, beginning ~6–8 months; indicates cognitive maturation.

Separation Anxiety

Distress when caregiver leaves (6 months–3 years); eased by short separations and comfort objects.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)

Abrupt unexplained death <1 year; prevention includes supine sleep, room-sharing not bed-sharing, avoiding overheating.

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

Inadequate growth from insufficient calories or poor utilization; requires multidisciplinary evaluation.

Order of PPE Application

Gown → Mask/respirator → Goggles/face shield → Gloves.

Order of PPE Removal

Gloves → Goggles/face shield → Gown → Mask.

Airborne Precautions

Private negative-pressure room, N95 respirator; for measles, varicella, TB; patient wears mask when leaving.

Droplet Precautions

Mask and private/cohort room; for pharyngitis, pertussis, mumps; larger particles (>5 µm).

Contact Precautions

Gloves, gown, dedicated equipment; for organisms spread by direct contact (e.g., impetigo, scabies).

Protective (Reverse) Isolation

Positive-pressure room, sterile gloves/gown/mask, no fresh plants/produce; for immunocompromised patients.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Itchy vesicular rash starting on trunk/face; contagious until all lesions scab; prevent with 2-dose vaccine.

Diphtheria

Corynebacterium infection causing gray pseudomembrane; treat with antitoxin + antibiotics; prevent with DTaP.

Mumps

Paramyxovirus causing parotid gland swelling; complications include orchitis; prevent with MMR vaccine.

Measles (Rubeola)

Morbillivirus; cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, descending rash; vitamin A supplement; MMR vaccine.

Poliomyelitis

Enterovirus damaging motor neurons; flaccid paralysis; prevented by inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in Children

Respiratory virus; range from asymptomatic to MIS-C; managed with supportive care, antivirals when indicated.

Bacterial Meningitis

Rapid inflammation of meninges by N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, Group B strep; requires IV antibiotics, possible steroids.

Viral Meningitis

Usually enteroviral; self-limiting; treat supportively after ruling out bacterial cause.

Hepatitis A Transmission

Fecal-oral route via contaminated food/water; prevent with 2-dose vaccine.

Hepatitis B Transmission

Blood/body fluids; risk from perinatal exposure; 3-dose vaccine available.

Mononucleosis

Epstein-Barr virus infection; fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly; avoid contact sports.

Roseola Infantum

HHV-6 infection; high fever then rose-pink trunk rash; risk of febrile seizures.

Fifth Disease (Parvovirus B19)

“Slapped-cheek” rash followed by lacy trunk rash; arthralgia common in older kids.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Coxsackie/enterovirus; oral ulcers and vesicular rash on hands/feet; self-resolves in 7–10 days.

Impetigo

Superficial bacterial skin infection; honey-colored crusts; treat with topical/oral antibiotics, hygiene.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Purulent discharge, crusting; treat with antibiotic drops; emphasize hand hygiene.

Viral Conjunctivitis

Watery discharge, often after URI; supportive care, very contagious.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Bilateral itching/redness; treat with antihistamine drops, avoid allergens.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

HSV oral infection; painful vesicular ulcers; treat with acyclovir, hydration, pain control.

Aphthous Stomatitis

Non-infectious “canker sores”; topical steroids, avoid triggers (acidic foods).

Scabies

Sarcoptes scabiei mite burrows; intense nocturnal itching; treat with permethrin cream, wash linens hot.

Pediculosis (Lice)

Infestation causing pruritus, nits on hair shafts; two-step permethrin treatment, combing, hot-wash fabrics.

Pinworms

Enterobius vermicularis; perianal itching at night; diagnose tape test; treat with mebendazole for household.

Giardiasis

Protozoan causing chronic diarrhea, bloating; diagnose stool EIA; treat with metronidazole.

IgG Antibody

Most abundant immunoglobulin; provides long-term immunity, crosses placenta.

IgM Antibody

First antibody produced in acute infection.

IgA Antibody

Found in mucosal secretions (saliva, breast milk); provides localized protection.

IgE Antibody

Mediates allergic reactions and defense against parasites.

Antigen

Foreign substance that triggers immune response and antibody production.

Antitoxin

Antibody preparation that neutralizes bacterial toxins (e.g., diphtheria antitoxin).

Attenuated Vaccine

Contains live, weakened pathogen that elicits immunity without causing disease in healthy hosts.

Cocooning

Vaccinating close contacts to protect vulnerable individuals (e.g., infants) from infection.

Passive Immunity

Immediate, temporary protection via transferred antibodies (e.g., IVIG, placental IgG).

Toxoid Vaccine

Uses inactivated bacterial toxin to stimulate immunity (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria).

Combination Vaccine

Single injection containing multiple antigens (e.g., MMRV).

Contraindication to Vaccination

Permanent exclusion condition; severe anaphylactic reaction to previous dose is universal example.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

Hole between ventricles; small may close spontaneously, large needs surgery/meds to manage CHF.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Opening between atria; often asymptomatic; may close by age 2 or require device/surgical closure.

Tetralogy of Fallot

Pulmonary stenosis, VSD, overriding aorta, RV hypertrophy; cyanosis, “tet spells”; surgical repair at 2–6 months.

Coarctation of the Aorta

Narrowing of descending aorta; ↑BP upper vs lower limbs; treat with prostaglandin, surgery/balloon angioplasty.

Kawasaki Disease

Acute vasculitis in children <5; fever, conjunctivitis, strawberry tongue, coronary aneurysms; IVIG + high-dose aspirin.

Infective Endocarditis

Bacterial infection of endocardium/valves; fever, murmur, emboli; long-term IV antibiotics, prophylaxis for high-risk dental work.

Pediatric Hypertension

BP ≥95th percentile on ≥3 visits; lifestyle changes, possible ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers.

Pediatric Dyslipidemia

Abnormal lipid panel; manage with diet/exercise; statins for persistent high LDL after age 10.

Heart Failure in Infants

Tachypnea, poor feeding, diaphoresis; treat with diuretics, inotropes, correct defect if present.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

Low iron → microcytic anemia; pallor, fatigue; treat with oral iron, vitamin C, diet education.

Sickle Cell Disease

Autosomal recessive HbS; vaso-occlusion, hemolysis, pain crises; hydration, pain control, hydroxyurea, transfusions.

Beta-Thalassemia Major

Absent β-globin, severe anemia; regular transfusions + iron chelation; possible stem cell transplant.

Aplastic Anemia

Bone marrow failure → pancytopenia; causes include autoimmune, drugs; treated with transfusions, immunosuppression, HSCT.

Hemophilia A

Factor VIII deficiency; X-linked; treat with recombinant factor VIII infusions.

Hemophilia B

Factor IX deficiency (Christmas disease); managed with factor IX replacement.

Von Willebrand Disease

Deficient/dysfunctional vWF; mucocutaneous bleeding; treat with desmopressin or vWF concentrates.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Autoimmune platelet destruction; petechiae, bruising; steroids, IVIG, splenectomy if severe.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Systemic coagulation activation → clotting + bleeding; treat underlying cause, replace factors/platelets.

Neutropenia

Low neutrophils (<1500/µL); recurrent infections; treat cause, prophylactic antibiotics/filgrastim.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Most common childhood cancer; overproduction of lymphoblasts; treated with multi-phase chemotherapy.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Myeloid blast proliferation; intensive chemo ± stem cell transplant.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

Chronic autoimmune arthritis in <16 yr; pain, swelling; managed with NSAIDs, DMARDs, biologics, PT.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Youth

Multisystem autoimmune disease; malar rash, nephritis; managed with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, sun protection.

HIV Transmission in Children

Primarily perinatal or breastfeeding; managed with ART tailored to age/weight.

Migraine with Aura

Pulsating headache preceded by visual or sensory disturbances; triggers include dehydration, stress, skipped meals.

Tension-Type Headache

Bilateral tight band-like pain; stress/posture related; treat with NSAIDs, relaxation techniques.

Concussion

Mild traumatic brain injury; transient neuro symptoms; rest, gradual return to activity.

Febrile Seizure

Seizure triggered by rapid fever rise (6 mo–5 yr); usually simple/generalized <15 min; manage fever, reassure parents.

Epilepsy

≥2 unprovoked seizures >24 h apart; managed with anti-seizure meds, ketogenic diet, VNS, surgery.

Hydrocephalus

CSF accumulation enlarging ventricles; infants show enlarged head, sunset eyes; treated with VP shunt or ETV.

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Congenital tangled vessels; risk hemorrhage; manage with surgery, embolization, or radiosurgery.

Encephalitis

Brain inflammation (usually viral); fever, neuro decline; treat with acyclovir, supportive care.

Rabies

Fatal rhabdovirus encephalitis after infected animal bite; prevent with post-exposure vaccine + immunoglobulin.

Tetanus

Clostridium tetani toxin causing muscle rigidity, lockjaw; treat with TIG, metronidazole; prevent with DTaP/Tdap.

Botulism

C. botulinum toxin blocks acetylcholine → flaccid paralysis; treat with antitoxin, BIG for infants.

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Low GH → short stature, delayed growth; treat with recombinant GH injections.

Precocious Puberty

Puberty before age 8 ♀/9 ♂; can limit adult height; GnRH analog therapy delays progression.

Diabetes Insipidus

ADH deficiency or renal resistance → polyuria, polydipsia; treat with desmopressin (central) or thiazides (nephrogenic).