Complete Physical Assessment in Infants, Young Children, and Adolescents

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the complete physical assessment in infants, young children, and adolescents.

Apgar score

A quick test performed on a newborn baby to assess their physical condition and need for extra medical care.

Neonate

An infant in the first 28 days after birth.

Supine position

Lying on the back.

Growth curves

Graphs that show the average development (height, weight) of infants and children based on age.

Infant’s general appearance

Observations including flexion of head and extremities, and spontaneous movement.

Lusty cry

A strong, vigorous cry indicating an alert and responsive infant.

Auscultate

To listen to sounds within the body, typically using a stethoscope.

Retractions

When the skin sinks in around the bones of the chest while breathing, indicating difficulty breathing.

Umbilicus

The navel or belly button; an important area assessed in newborns.

Palpate

To examine by touch to assess physical condition.

Femoral pulses

The pulse felt in the femoral artery, which is located in the groin.

Molding of fontanels

The shaping of a baby's head due to pressure during birth.

Nystagmus

Involuntary eye movement, often indicative of neurological issues.

Pupillary reflex

The response of the pupil to light.

Plantar grasp reflex

A reflexive curling of the toes when the sole of the foot is touched.

Babinski reflex

An infant reflex where the toes fan out when the sole of the foot is stroked.

Vernix caseosa

A waxy white substance found coating the skin of newborns.

Neuromuscular exam

An assessment to check the function of nerves and muscles.

Moro reflex

An infant reflex characterized by a startle response to a sudden loss of support.

Preschool child

A child typically aged 3 to 5 years who is developing initiative and independence.

Developmental milestones

Key skills or behaviors that are expected to develop at certain ages.

Social interaction

The way individuals communicate and interact with each other.

Self-identity

A person’s perception of themselves, including their beliefs, values, and personality.

Introspective

The examination of one's own thoughts and feelings.

Head-to-toe format

A systematic examination approach that assesses the body starting from the head and moving down to the toes.

Clothed examination

An examination conducted with the patient fully dressed for modesty and comfort.

Child interaction

The way a parent or guardian engages with their child during assessments.

Vision assessment

Testing for the ability to see clearly.

Hearing ability

The capacity to perceive sound.

Body injury

Physical harm or damage to the body.

Developmental data

Information related to the stages of development of a child.

Inspect the abdomen

To visually examine the abdominal area for any abnormalities.

Chest examination

Assessing the thoracic region, including breath and heart sounds.

Complete general physical assessment

A comprehensive evaluation of a patient's physical health.

Cranial nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain and brainstem, controlling various functions.

Height measurment

Determining how tall a person is, typically performed during assessments.

Weight measurement

Determining how much a person weighs, an important metric in health assessments.

Lymph nodes

Small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the body’s immune system.

Scrotum

The pouch of skin containing the testicles.

Sucking reflex

An involuntary response where an infant sucks when the roof of the mouth is touched.

Tracking of moving light

An assessment of an infant's visual ability to follow an object.

Gluteal folds

The natural creases in the buttocks, important for observing symmetry.

Birth weight

The weight of a newborn baby at the time of birth.

Corneal light reflex

A test to assess the alignment of the eyes and check for strabismus.

Age-appropriate interventions

Medical actions or procedures that are suitable depending on the patient's age.