Pediatric Communication, History, and Physical Assessment

Vocabulary flashcards highlighting essential terms and definitions related to pediatric communication, history taking, nutritional evaluation, and physical assessment.

Appropriate Introduction

Opening the interaction with the child and family by stating your name, role, and purpose to build rapport.

Assurance of Privacy and Confidentiality

Guarantee that information shared during the interview or exam will be kept private except when legally required to disclose.

Telephone Triage

Providing assessment and guidance to patients or parents over the phone using structured protocols.

Computer Privacy in Nursing

Protecting electronic health data through secure log-ins, encrypted systems, and HIPAA compliance.

Encouraging Parents to Talk

Using open-ended prompts such as “Tell me about…” to obtain a complete history and concerns.

Directing the Focus

Gently steering the conversation back to the chief concern to keep the interview on track.

Cultural Awareness

Recognizing and respecting family beliefs, values, and practices that may affect care.

Therapeutic Silence

Intentional pauses that give parents or children time to think and respond.

Empathy

Communicating understanding and sharing in another’s emotional experience.

Anticipatory Guidance

Proactive education that prepares families for upcoming developmental stages or health needs.

Blocks to Communication

Behaviors such as interrupting, judging, or giving unsolicited advice that hinder dialogue.

Communication Through an Interpreter

Using a trained language intermediary to ensure accurate and culturally sensitive exchange of information.

Infancy Communication

Relying on non-verbal cues, gentle touch, and calm voice to interact with babies.

Early Childhood Communication

Using simple words, concrete explanations, and allowing the child to handle equipment when possible.

School-Age Communication

Offering detailed explanations and engaging the child in discussions about how things work.

Adolescent Communication

Respecting privacy, using open-ended questions, and addressing sensitive topics directly.

Chief Complaint

The primary reason the child is brought for care, described in the caretaker’s or patient’s own words.

Present Illness

A chronological, detailed description of the child’s current symptoms starting from onset.

Birth History

Information about prenatal course, labor, delivery, and immediate neonatal period.

Dietary History

Record of usual food and fluid intake, feeding patterns, and supplements.

Immunization History

Documentation of vaccines received, dates, and any reactions.

Psychosocial History

Assessment of family relationships, school performance, stressors, and behavioral concerns.

Review of Systems (ROS)

Systematic, head-to-toe inquiry about past or present symptoms not yet discussed.

Skinfold Thickness

Measurement of subcutaneous fat using calipers to estimate body fat percentage.

Mid-Upper Arm Circumference

Anthropometric measurement used with skinfolds to assess nutritional status.

Head Circumference

Measurement around the largest part of the infant’s skull to monitor brain growth.

Chronological Age

Actual age in years and months; primary guide for choosing exam sequence in children.

Invasive Procedure

An exam or intervention that causes discomfort or breaches body integrity (e.g., needle stick).

Apical Pulse

Heart rate counted by auscultation at the apex of the heart; preferred in infants and small children.

Radial Pulse

Peripheral pulse palpated at the wrist; suitable for older children when rates are regular.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in blood pressure when moving from lying to standing, assessed by serial BP readings.

Funduscopic Examination

Inspection of the interior eye structures using an ophthalmoscope.

Visual Acuity

Sharpness of vision measured with age-appropriate charts (e.g., Snellen, LEA symbols).

Ocular Alignment

Assessment for strabismus by observing corneal light reflex or cover-test results.

Peripheral Vision

Ability to see objects outside the direct line of sight; tested via confrontation test.

Color Vision

Capacity to distinguish colors, commonly screened with Ishihara plates.

Otoscope

Instrument used to visualize the ear canal and tympanic membrane during otoscopic examination.

Tympanic Membrane

Eardrum; parts include pars tensa, pars flaccida, umbo, and light reflex.

Pinna Manipulation

Pulling the auricle down and back for infants or up and back for children >3 yr to straighten the canal.

Turbinates

Bony ridges inside the nasal cavity that warm and humidify inspired air.

Uvula

Midline posterior oral structure that rises symmetrically with phonation; deviation suggests nerve damage.

Heart Murmur

Audible vibration produced by turbulent blood flow through the heart or great vessels.

Erb’s Point

Auscultatory area at the third left interspace where S₂ is often best heard.

Growth Chart

Graphical tool plotting a child’s length/height, weight, and head circumference against age norms.

Orthostatic BP Measurement

Blood pressure taken supine, sitting, and standing to evaluate volume status and autonomic function.

Epitrochlear Node

Lymph node above the medial epicondyle of the humerus; enlargement may indicate infection or lymphoma.

Inguinal Hernia

Protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal into the groin.

Umbilical Hernia

Protrusion of intestine through a weakness at the umbilical ring, common in infants.

Undescended Testicle (Cryptorchidism)

Failure of one or both testes to move into the scrotum by 6 months of age.

Scoliosis Screening

Forward-bend test observing spinal alignment and rib hump to detect lateral curvature.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve paired nerves (I–XII) responsible for sensory and motor functions of head and neck.

Cerebellar Function

Neurologic assessment of balance and coordination, e.g., finger-to-nose, heel-to-shin tests.

Reflex Hammer

Tool used to elicit deep tendon reflexes such as patellar or Achilles responses.