pediatric

goal of pediatric nursing

• promote development

• improve childhood nutrition

• improve oral health

issues affecting childhood health

• obesity

• type 2 diabetes

• developmental stage - related injuries

• violence

• substance abuse

• mental health issues

infant mortality

• number of deaths per 1000 live births during first year of life

  • neonatal = day 1 - day 27

  • postnatal = day 28 to 1 year

major determinant of neonatal death

• birth weight

• low birth weight = less than 2500g

  • lower birth weight = higher mortality rate

other risk factors for infant mortality

• african american race

• male gender

• short or long gestation

• maternal age (younger or older)

• maternal education

causes of infant death

• congenital anomalies

• SIDS

• unintential injury

• intentional injury

childhood injuries

• leading cause of death in children under 1 year

  • motor vehicle crashes

  • drowning

  • burns

  • firearms

  • poisoning

childhood morbidity

• hard to define and measure

• groups with increased morbidity

  • children who are homeless, poor, chronically ill, foreign-born adopted children, children in daycare

pediatric nurse’s role

• therapeutic relationship building - negotiating meaningful relationship with child and family

• family advocacy - providing nontraumatic care

• disease prevention - education

• ethical decision making