HOSA CH 10!

puberty, or preadolescence

a time of rapid growth normally commencing between ages 11 and 14 and taking an average of 2 years to complete. It is marked by the development of secondary sex characteristics.

secondary sex characteristics

the physical traits that differentiate the two sexes but aren’t directly linked. no direct relation to reproduction, but appear around this time.

Puberty ends (and adolescence begins) with:

onset of menses, or menarche, in girls and the production of sperm in boys.

Onset of puberty is affected by:

factors that include heredity, climate, nutrition, gender, and socioeconomic status

Major changes associated with the pubescent period are

Four major changes associated with the pubescent period are as follows:

1. Rapid physical growth

2. Changes in body proportions

3. Development of primary sex characteristics (sex organs)

4. Development of secondary sex characteristics

Parents need to understand this kids frustrations. Some include:

Wishing for independence while needing supervision at home and in school

Being concerned about appearance while undergoing major body changes

Seeking peer acceptance while feeling anxious about or frustrated by those same peers

Struggling to achieve in school while accepting an increasing workload and more responsibility

Fluctuating between adult like behavior and childlike impulses

Maintaining a demanding physical and social schedule while needing increased amounts of rest and sleep

adolescence

Latin and means “to grow and mature.”

Refers to a transitional period that begins with sexual maturity and ends with cessation of growth and the movement toward emotional maturity. Adolescence bridges gap between childhood and adulthood. Adolescents need to complete tasks that prepare them for adulthood.

major characteristics of adolescence include:

• Stormy emotions

• Feelings of insecurity

• Introspection

• Experimentation and learning

• Testing of values and beliefs

Height increase in this time (puberty)

Puberty is second to the prenatal period as the phase of most rapid growth.

Occurs in girls earlier than in boys. The feet are usually the first part of the body then the legs and trunk.

Height increases 20% to 25%. Boys grow 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) and girls grow 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) during this period.

Weight change in this time (puberty)

Weight changes are related to increases in fat, bone, and muscle tissue. Different parts of the body grow at different rates, making the whole body seem out of proportion. The bones grow longer and change shape. The trunk begins to broaden at the hips and shoulders.

Boys gain between 15-65 pounds (7-30 kg), and girls gain 15-55 pounds (7-25 kg).

primary sex characteristics (are what, influenced by what)

The primary sex characteristics are the gonads, or sex glands. The gonads are present at the time of birth but remain functionally inactive until the onset of puberty.

Maturation of these glands is influenced by the adenohypophysis, or anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates the gonads.

male gonands

In boys, the male gonads, or testes, are located in a sac called the scrotum, found outside of the body. The testes produce male sex cells, or sperm, and the male sex hormone testosterone.

Ejaculation, the release of sperm, indicates that the testes are functionally mature.

In addition, the penis, or male sex organ, grows in length and circumference.

Female gonands

The female gonads or sex glands are the ovaries, located in the pelvic cavity. Their primary function is to produce the female sex cells (ova, or eggs) needed for reproduction and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The onset of the menstrual flow, which is called menarche, indicates that a girl is capable of reproduction.

The menstrual flow

a monthly discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from the uterus.

It lasts from puberty until menopause. The usual monthly cycle is every 21 to 24 days, with each monthly period or discharge lasting an average of 5 days. Average blood loss with each period is 30 to 60 mL.

Some girls and women experience headaches, cramps, swelling, and irritability before and during their periods. The whole menstrual process is an emotionally charged event.

Misconceptions/ attitudes with menstrual periods

Attitudes toward menstruation are assimilated from cultural and personal experiences. Education regarding menarche should begin during the school-age period in the home setting. Adequate preparation leads to a more positive initial experience.

The primary concerns of young girls are related to hygiene, preventing clothes from getting soiled, and embarrassment. In addition, girls at this stage need to be informed about restrictions, activities, and taboos.

If any questions or misconceptions about menstruation exist, they will need to be openly explored with the teen.

Secondary sex characteristics in guys

Initially, pubic hair is sparse and lightly pigmented then it’s darker, coarse, and curly. In boys, axillary and facial hair appear after the pubic hair growth. Boys’ skin thickens, and hair appears on the arms, legs, shoulders, and chest.

In boys, the larynx, or voice box, and the vocal cords increase in size, resulting in deepening of the voice.

secondary sex characteristics in girls

Changes in the distribution of fat and an increase in the width and roundness of the hip and pelvic bones.

Breast development in girls follows an orderly sequence, resulting in the increase of fatty tissue and the maturation of the mammary glands (glands that produce milk).

Hair also appears in the groin and the axillae.

both guys and girls get what secondary sex characteristic. (2 glands…)

The sebaceous glands produce oil and become larger and more active. This increased activity may be related to the appearance of acne (pimples).

The apocrine glands (sweat glands) in the armpits and groin become larger, producing a characteristic odorous secretion.

Adolescent height and weight

The rate of growth slows down after puberty. In girls, growth in height ceases between 16-17. Boys continue to grow in height up to 18-20.

During adolescence body proportions are similar to those of the adult.

muscle + motor development in adolescents

Muscle strength, size, and endurance increase. Some may complain of muscle soreness and fatigue with increased activity. Adolescents may at first be awkward as a result of the patterns of muscle growth. But by the end of this stage, they should have good muscle development and coordination.

Motor capabilities improve with practice and training.

posture in adolescents

Posture may be poor, evidenced by slouching. This may be further complicated by a common condition causing lateral

curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis. more commonly seen in girls than in boys.

Affect on lungs

The weight and volume of the lungs increase, causing a slowing down in the respiratory rate and an improvement in lung performance. Exercise helps to improve both cardiac and respiratory function.

Affect on stomach and intestines

Increase in size and capacity. Adolescents have increased appetites and therefore require an increase in their daily food intake. Adequate food intake helps to meet the demands of their bodies. They are always hungry and can consume enormous amounts of food at one time.

Affect on teeth

At about 13 years of age, teens gain their second molars, and between 14 and 25 years their third molars, or wisdom teeth, appear. The jaw reaches adult size toward the end of adolescence.

Vital signs

Pulse range: 60-90 beats per minute.

The respiratory rate = adult. 16 to 24 breaths per minute

Increase in the size of the heart and in the thickness of the walls of the blood vessels. Result in improved pumping ability of the heart. Increase in blood volume.

In boys, greater force is needed to help distribute blood to their larger body mass so an increase in blood pressure.

Motor development

In the beginning of adolescence, teens are clumsy as a result of their rapid physical growth.

The adolescent’s motor functions are comparable to those of the adult. Hand-eye coordination is markedly improved, allowing for good manual dexterity.

What emotional changes can accompany puberty?

heightened emotions, reduced confidence, and increased worries. They are sensitive about the sizes of their body parts and readily compare themselves to their peers, this continues throughout adolescence.

Masturbation harmful or no?

Not harmful but preconceived notions may induce shame or guilt

Consequentially., parents should respect privacy and knock.

Where do teens get most of their sex ed from?

Other teenagers and not authoritative sources. Hence it leads to transmission of incorrect information. Youngsters should receive sex education before they become teenagers.

What should effective sex education encompass?

Reproduction, sexual responsibility, body changes, STD prevention, pregnancy prevention and consent.

Sexual activity (age, norms)

The extent and age of onset of sexual activity varies from individual to individual. But this country can be as early as 10-11. Girls may become sexually active because of coercion or pressure, boys because of expectations.

There is pressure to conform to a group’s behavioral standards. Confusion, lying may occur. Usually girls set limits.

The incidence of STDs is increasing. The best prevention is information. Every teenager should be taught safe sex practices, whether they choose to be sexually active or not.

STDs include chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes genitalis, gonorrhea, syphilis, and AIDS. Each of these diseases has its own cause, signs and symptoms, and plan of treatment, but all are spread through vaginal, oral, and rectal intercourse.

teen pregnancy (complications and help)

The pregnant adolescent has twice the mortality rate of a nonadolescent pregnant woman because the adolescent is still herself growing and will compete for the needed nutrients.

Expected weight gain and the need for additional nutrients should be calculated on an individual basis.

Teen pregnancy carries increased risks of complications for both mother and baby. Early recognition and medical supervision may help promote a more positive outcome. Although teenagers may be physically mature, they may not yet be emotionally mature enough to handle parenthood. Young teenagers who become pregnant may need additional counseling and time to choose between the various options. Their decisions have a serious impact on them for the rest of their lives.

Chlamydia

May be asymptomatic or may cause a yellowish vaginal discharge, painful or difficult urination, and spotting between menses or after intercourse; may spread to other pelvic organs

Trichomoniasis

Usually causes thin, frothy, yellow–green vaginal discharge; vaginal itching, tenderness; redness; painful urination and intercourse

Herpes genitalis

Usually causes genital blisters, pain, swollen glands, vaginal discharge and itching

Gonorrhea

May be asymptomatic or may cause a purulent yellow–green vaginal discharge; may cause painful urination and intercourse

Syphilis

Causes painless ulcer (chancre) on genitals, lips, or anus in early stage

AIDS

Causes lethargy, weight loss, skin lesions, and fungal infections

Rape

Adolescent rape appears to be on the increase, and a large number of offenders are adolescents. The exact number isn’t clear because young women are the least likely to report these crimes.

Not only are teens at risk for rape by strangers, but they also are at risk for date rape.

Education for both male and female teens helps dispel myths about rape and provides preventive strategies.

Kids enter puberty happy but typically are negative throughout. Why?

The basis for some of this negativity is growing self-consciousness. This self-doubt and worry are related to their changing bodies. Much of the behavior is influenced by an overall negative outlook. Youth at this age tend to spend more time by themselves and in their rooms than they did at earlier ages. Many move away from their earlier friendships and need to find their places in new group settings. Until this happens, they may be isolated and alone.

Social antagonism is demonstrated best by…

interactions with family, peers, and society.

Familial interactions

desire for independence becomes the root of conflict with authority figures.Family relationships change dramatically. Teens are often argumentative and critical of their parents’ ways.

Erikson’s primary psychosocial task for adolescents

search for identity. The individual must answer the question, “Who am I?”

Adolescents separate themselves from family and begin to find their own beliefs and test them in the real world.

Psychosocial symptoms in teens

Confusion, depression, and discouragement often accompany this period. There are many fluctuations in mood (low self-esteem to egoistic). More susceptible to physical symptoms.

Ambivalence

two opposing feelings about the same person or object.

Prevalent mostly in parents, want independence and blame parents while needing support and guidance.

Emotions

Emotions are the expressed feelings that influence a person’s behavior.

Teens experience many different, sometimes conflicting emotions.

The charged emotions characteristic of this period are caused by both the physical and hormonal changes that are occurring. The increased social pressures placed on this age group further heighten adolescents’ emotional responses.