Pediatric Growth, Development, and Clinical Care Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary and key concepts for pediatric nursing, covering growth milestones, Erikson's developmental stages, common childhood illnesses, and clinical management strategies.

Anticipatory Guidance

Instructional strategy focusing on safety and prevention regarding developmental, social, or situational transitions such as crawling, toddler tantrums, or sports injuries.

Atraumatic Care

The provision of therapeutic care in settings, by personnel, and through the use of interventions that minimize physical and psychological distress to children and their families.

Three Principles of Atraumatic Care

1. Prevent/minimize the child’s separation from family 2. Promote a sense of control 3. Prevent/minimize bodily injury and pain.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's developmental stage for infants (Birth to 12 months) focused on whether basic needs are met through consistency and responsiveness of caregivers.

Infant Weight Change (6 Months)

The time point by which a birth weight typically doubles.

Infant Weight Change (1 Year)

The time point by which a birth weight typically triples.

Body Mass Index (BMI) in Children

The best indicator of healthy weight; only used for children older than $2$ years where the percentile is more important than the raw measurement.

Social Smile

A developmental milestone typically achieved by $2$ months of age.

Stranger Anxiety

A developmental behavior that typically develops at $9$ months of age.

Infant Nutrition (First 4-5 Months)

Human milk or iron-fortified formula; solid foods should not be introduced before this period.

Water Intoxication Concern

Risk factor for infants before $4$ months of age if given water or fluids, potentially leading to hyponatremia.

Car Seat Safety (Direction)

Infants should be rear-facing until reach the age of $2$ years.

Car Seat Safety (Newborn Angle)

Newborns must be placed at a $45$ degree angle to prevent airway collapse.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Erikson's stage for toddlers ($1-3$ years) where children discover their behaviors have effects and start gaining independence.

Ritualism

A behavioral trait high in toddlers that provides comfort by ensuring predictable routines.

Regression

A return to earlier developmental abilities following stress; nursing management includes ignoring regressed behavior and praising good behavior.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's stage for preschoolers ($4-5$ years) where conflict arises from overstepping limits, causing anxiety or fear.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's stage for school-age children ($6-12$ years) focused on developing skills and participating in useful work with peers as strong motivators.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's stage for adolescents ($13-18$ years) where a sense of self is created, influenced heavily by peers.

Emancipated Minor

A person legally under age but recognized as having the legal capacity of an adult due to pregnancy, marriage, military service, graduation, or independent living.

Mature Minor

A child (usually over $14$) who possesses the cognitive ability to understand informed consent, requiring legal action for designation.

Safe Sleep Environment

Supine position on a firm surface, NO soft/loose objects in crib, and room sharing for at least the first $6$ months.

Down Syndrome Emergency Cue

Signs of spinal cord compression, including persistent neck pain, loss of motor skills, and changes in bowel/bladder sensation.

Autism Red Flags (12-24 Months)

No babbling/gesturing by $12$ months, no single words by $16$ months, and no two-word phrases by $24$ months.

Failure to Thrive (FTT) Catch-up Goal

Achieving weight gain at $2$ to $3$ times the average rate for the child's age.

Diaper Dermatitis Management

Expose rash to air, use super absorbent diapers, and apply barrier cream (zinc oxide) without removing it with every change.

Self-Harm Peak Age

Direct intentional damage to the body without the intent to die, most commonly peaking at $15-16$ years old.

rFLACC Pain Scale

Assessment based on Facial expression, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability; used for ages $2$ months to $7$ years in PACU.

Wong-Baker Faces Scale

Pain scale used for children as young as $3$ years old using associated facial expressions.

Motrin (Ibuprofen) Age Contraindication

Medication that should not be administered to infants before $6$ months of age.

Koplik Spots

Tiny white spots in the mouth that appear before a red/brown rash in children with Measles.

Live Virus Vaccine Contraindications

MMR, Varicella, and Rotavirus; contraindicated during pregnancy, immunosuppression, or recent blood/IgG administration.

Pertussis Hallmark

Short rapid cough bursts followed by post-tussive vomiting.

Febrile Seizure Profile

Occurs typically between $6$ months and $3$ years of age, often when temperatures exceed $38.8\,^{\circ}C$ ($101.8\,^{\circ}F$).

Otic Medication Administration (<3 years)

Pull the pinna down and straight back.

Otic Medication Administration (3+ years)

Pull the pinna upward and back.

Maintenance Fluid Rule (0-10kg)

$100\,ml/kg$ per day.

Infant Urine Output Requirement

$2\,ml/kg/hr$.

Isotonic Dehydration

Primary form of dehydration where electrolyte and water deficits are in balanced proportions, with sodium levels remaining in normal limits.

Hypertonic Dehydration

Condition where fluid loss exceeds sodium loss; sodium must be lowered slowly to prevent water intoxication and seizures.

Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage Signs

Frequent swallowing, throat clearing, vomiting bright red blood, and an increased heart rate.

Infectious Mononucleosis Precautions

Avoid contact sports to prevent potential spleen rupture (splenomegaly).

Epiglottitis Clinical Alert

Do NOT examine the throat unless emergency intubation equipment and a provider are present due to high risk of airway loss.

3 C's of EA/TEF

Coughing, Choking, and Cyanosis, appearing as manifestations of Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

Cystic Fibrosis Definitive Diagnosis

A positive sweat test.

Pancreatic Enzyme Administration

Must be taken within $30$ minutes of eating for children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Status Asthmaticus

An extreme form of asthma exacerbation characterized by hypoxemia and hypercarbia that is unresponsive to initial treatment.

Cleft Lip Surgery Rule

The infant must be at least $10\,lb$ and $10$ weeks old.

Pyloric Stenosis Hallmark Sign

Projectile, non-bilious vomiting and the palpation of an olive-shaped mass in the abdomen.

Intussusception Manifestation

Sudden abdominal pain with passage of jelly-like mucous stool.