Health Science theory - Chapter 9 Vocabulary

adolescence

the stage of life following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult

apagar scale

a measure used to determine the health of a newborn based on heart and respiratory rates, muscle tone, responsiveness, and body color

bonding

the act of developing an emotional connection between a parent or caregiver and a baby

brazelton neonatal behavorial assessment scale

a test given to a newborn that measures reflexes and responses to sounds, touch, and light

fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

term that describes conditions such as cognitive disabilities resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol

geriatrics

the care of aging people

gerontology

the study of the aging people

gestation

the period between fertilization and birth; also known as pregnancy

infant

term that describes a child from thirty days after birth until the first birthday

maslow’s hierachy of needs

a theory of human needs developed by american psychologist abraham maslow

neonate

term that describes a baby from birth to one month

palliative care

term for measures taken to treat symptoms and pain even though the treatment will not cure a disease; use of comfort measures

prenatal

the life stage before birth; during or relating to pregnancy

preschoolers

term that describes children between the ages of three and five

preteens

term that describes children between the ages of 10 and 12

rooting reflex

the natural inclination of newborns to turn their head toward a food source when the side of their mouth is stroked

startle reflex

the natural inclination of a baby’s limb and neck muscles to contract in response to a loud noise or jolt

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

unexpected death that occurs for unknown reasons during the first few months of a baby’s life

toddlers

term that describes children between the ages of one and three