Pediatric Exam 2 Study Guide

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering newborn care, developmental milestones, communicable diseases, cardiac and hematologic conditions, immune, neurologic, and endocrine disorders for Pediatric Exam 2.

Crying (Newborn Communication)

Primary form of newborn communication; signals hunger, discomfort, overstimulation, or need for attention; averages 2–3 hours daily in first 6 weeks.

Cooing and Babbling

Early vocalizations that begin near the end of the first month as newborns develop vocal cords and recognize caregivers’ voices.

Colic

Excessive crying >3 hours/day, >3 days/week, >3 weeks; etiology unclear; managed with soothing, feeding changes, parent reassurance, massage, probiotics.

Rooting Reflex

Newborn turns head toward cheek stimulation to locate the nipple; aids feeding.

Sucking Reflex

Automatic sucking triggered when the roof of the mouth is touched; essential for feeding.

Moro Reflex

Startle response in which arms extend then retract when infant is startled or “dropped.”

Tonic Neck Reflex

“Fencing” posture: arm on face side extends, opposite arm flexes when head is turned.

Palmar Grasp Reflex

Infant closes fingers around object placed in palm.

Babinski Reflex

Toes fan upward when sole is stroked; normal until about 1 year.

Stepping Reflex

Newborn makes walking motions when held upright with feet touching a surface.

Rear-Facing Car Seat

Safety seat used in back seat until at least age 2; harness snug, chest clip at armpit level, no bulky clothes.

Cow’s Milk Allergy

Immune reaction to cow’s milk protein causing vomiting, diarrhea, rash, wheeze, or blood in stool; managed with maternal dairy elimination or hypoallergenic formula.

Gross Motor Milestones (0–12 mo)

2 mo: lifts head prone; 4 mo: rolls front-to-back; 6 mo: sits with support; 9 mo: crawls; 12 mo: pulls to stand or cruises.

Fine Motor Milestones (0–12 mo)

2 mo: fists, tracks objects; 4 mo: reaches & grasps; 6 mo: transfers objects; 9 mo: pincer grasp; 12 mo: finger-feeds.

Social Smile

Intentional smile appearing at 4–6 weeks, signifying early social development.

Separation Anxiety

Distress when caregiver leaves, beginning around 6–8 months; eased by brief separations and comfort items.

Breastfeeding

Recommended exclusively for first 6 months; provides antibodies, easy digestion; infant needs vitamin D supplement.

Formula Feeding

Iron-fortified substitute for breast milk; necessary for some infants or allergies; requires correct preparation and storage.

Introduction of Solid Foods

Begins ~6 months when infant can sit, shows interest, and tongue-thrust diminishes; start with iron-rich foods and add new items every 3–5 days.

Safe Sleep Practices

Place infant on back on firm surface; avoid soft bedding, bed-sharing, and sleeping in swings or car seats; room-share for first 6 months.

Droplet Precautions

Mask for staff/visitors; used for diseases spread by large droplets (e.g., pertussis, mumps, scarlet fever).

Airborne Precautions

N95 respirator and negative-pressure room for diseases like varicella, measles, TB.

Contact Precautions

Gown and gloves for organisms spread by touch (e.g., scabies, impetigo).

DTaP Vaccine Schedule

Given at 2, 4, 6, 15–18 months, and 4–6 years to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

MMR Vaccine

Live vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella; doses at 12–15 mo and 4–6 yr; contraindicated in pregnancy.

Tetralogy of Fallot

Congenital heart defect with VSD, pulmonary stenosis, overriding aorta, RV hypertrophy; causes cyanosis and “tet spells.”

Knee-to-Chest Position

Comfort maneuver for cyanotic “tet spells” in Tetralogy of Fallot to increase systemic vascular resistance.

Infective Endocarditis

Bacterial infection of heart lining, often in congenital heart disease or central lines; treated with 2–6 weeks IV antibiotics; prophylaxis before dental work.

Pediatric Hypertension

BP above 95th percentile on 3 occasions; primary or secondary to renal/endocrine issues; managed with lifestyle changes and possibly ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers.

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of heart muscle leading to heart failure symptoms (fatigue, poor growth, chest pain); may require transplant or pacemaker.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Opening between atria; many close spontaneously; large defects cause fatigue/poor weight gain—surgical closure if persistent after age 2.

Dyslipidemia Screening

Lipid panel starting at age 9 for children with risk factors such as obesity or family history.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Simultaneous clotting and bleeding often secondary to sepsis/trauma; treat cause and give blood products.

Aplastic Anemia

Bone marrow failure causing pancytopenia; presents with pallor, infections, bleeding; may need bone marrow transplant.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Most common pediatric anemia, often from low iron intake or excess milk; treated with iron supplements plus vitamin C.

Beta Thalassemia

Inherited defect in hemoglobin synthesis causing severe anemia; requires frequent transfusions and iron-chelation therapy.

Hemophilia

X-linked deficiency of clotting factor VIII (A) or IX (B); causes joint bleeds and prolonged bleeding; managed with factor replacement.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

Autoimmune arthritis in children causing morning stiffness and joint swelling; treated with NSAIDs, DMARDs, and therapy.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Multisystem autoimmune disease with butterfly rash, fatigue, nephritis; managed with steroids and immunosuppressants.

Anaphylaxis

Severe systemic allergic reaction; treated promptly with intramuscular epinephrine.

Pediatric HIV

Viral infection acquired perinatally or via blood; monitored with CD4 and viral load; managed with lifelong ART.

Concussion

Mild traumatic brain injury causing transient neurologic symptoms; requires cognitive rest and graded return to activity.

Febrile Seizure

Seizure triggered by rapid rise in temperature in children 6 mo–5 yr; usually benign; treat fever and educate parents.

Epilepsy

Disorder of recurrent unprovoked seizures; managed with antiepileptic medications and lifestyle adjustments.

Infant Botulism

Flaccid paralysis from Clostridium botulinum toxin (avoid honey in <1 yr); treated with botulism immune globulin.

Chronic Migraines

Headache disorder with ≥15 headache days/month; managed by avoiding triggers, using triptans, and preventive medications.

Tetanus

Neurotoxin-mediated muscle rigidity/spasms from Clostridium tetani; prevented by DTaP; treated with antitoxin, wound care, antibiotics.

Congenital Hypothyroidism

Thyroid hormone deficiency detected on newborn screen; presents with poor feeding, constipation, large fontanelles; treated with levothyroxine.

Diabetes Insipidus

ADH deficiency leading to polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration; treated with desmopressin.

Growth Hormone Therapy

Recombinant GH for deficiency or short stature; monitor height, bone age, IGF-1.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells; requires lifelong insulin, glucose monitoring, carb counting.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin resistance often linked to obesity and inactivity; managed with diet, exercise, and metformin.