Foundations of Pediatric Nursing - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering infant through adolescent health topics from growth and development to safety, immunizations, pediatric pharmacology, and common emergencies as presented in the lecture notes.

Fontanel

The soft spots on an infant's skull; posterior fontanel closes by 6–8 weeks; anterior fontanel closes by 12–18 months.

Head circumference

Measurement used to assess brain growth; typical around 33–35 cm in healthy infants.

Crown to rump length

Length measurement from crown of head to buttocks/hips, used in infant growth assessment.

Birth weight

Newborn weight typically 6–9 pounds (approximately 2.7–4.1 kg).

Newborn weight loss

Newborns may lose about 10% of weight by day 3–4 but usually regain by day 10–14.

Infant weight gain

Approximately 680 g (1.5 lb) per month during the first 5 months.

Weight doubling/tripling in infancy

Birth weight doubles by about 5 months and triples by about 12 months.

Infant height growth

Avg about 2.5 cm (1 in) per month for the first 6 months; birth length increased by ~50% by 12 months.

Head circumference growth

Infant head circumference increases about 2 cm/month for the first 3 months, then ~1 cm/month (4–6 months), then ~0.5 cm/month (second 6 months).

Dentition in the first year

Six to eight teeth should erupt by the end of the first year.

Teething relief

Frozen washcloths or gels can ease teething discomfort.

Ibuprofen/acetaminophen cautions

Do not give ibuprofen to infants under 6 months; Tylenol or ibuprofen should not be used for more than 3 days without guidance.

Bottles at sleep

Do not give bottles to infants as they fall asleep to reduce risk of tooth decay and otitis media.

Frequent developmental assessments

Regular development checks across age groups are essential to identify delays.

Rooting reflex

Newborns turn head toward touched cheek and begin to suck.

Palmar grasp

Infant grasps objects placed in the palm.

Sucking reflex

Elicited by stroking the mouth area; helps with feeding.

Plantary grasp

Toes curl downward when the sole is touched; birth to 8 months.

Moro reflex

Arms and legs extend and then flex in response to a head/neck drop; birth to about 4–6 months.

Tonic neck reflex (fencer position)

Head turned to one side leads to extension of the arm on that side and flexion of the opposite arm; birth to 6 months.

Babinski reflex

Big toe extends with fanning of other toes when the sole is stroked; birth to 1 year.

Stepping reflex

Infant makes stepping movements when held upright with feet on a surface; birth to about 4 weeks to 4 months.

Piaget - Sensorimotor stage

Birth to 24 months; learns about the world through senses and actions; develops object permanence and symbolic thought.

Object permanence

Understanding that objects continue to exist even when not seen.

Stranger anxiety

Fear or wariness of unfamiliar people, commonly beginning around 6–12 months.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson stage from birth to 1 year; quality of caregiver–infant relationship shapes sense of trust.

Separation anxiety

Fear of separation from caregiver; typically starts 4–8 months and peaks around infancy.

Infant social play

Rattles, mirrors, mobiles, simple toys; play is mainly sensorimotor and caregiver-guided.

Immunizations (infants) – schedule basics

CDC schedule starts at birth (Hep B), then 2 months (DTaP, IPV, Hib, RV, PCV, HepB), 4 months, 6 months, and annual influenza later.

Breastfeeding duration

Breast milk provides complete nutrition for ~6 months; may continue with solids up to 2 years or longer.

Introduction of solids

Usually starts around 6 months when head control and extrusion reflex disappear.

Infant sleep duration

Average 14–15 hours per day by 4 months; many sleep through the night by 12 months with naps.

Injury prevention (infants)

Avoid aspiration, protect from burns, drowning prevention, safe sleep, car seat safety at 45° rear-facing.

Toddler growth milestones (30 months)

Typically about 4x birth weight; height growth ~3 inches per year; head and chest circumference equal.

Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

Erikson stage for toddlers; independence increases, negativism (“No!”) common.

Parallel play

Toddlers play side-by-side with similar toys but not together.

Toddler immunizations (schedule basics)

Vaccines at 12–15 months (Hib, PCV, MMR, varicella, Hep A); flu annually; DTaP series continues.

Toddler nutrition

Milk 16–24 oz/day; introduce varied foods; limit juice; one tablespoon per year of age per meal.

Toddler sleep

11–12 hours of sleep with one nap; establish routines to ease fears.

Toddler injury prevention

Choking hazards; rear-facing car seats until age 2 or height/weight; toxins secured; stranger safety.

Preschooler growth (3–6 years)

Table of average weights/heights; steady motor skill advancement (tricycle, jumping, skipping).

Preschool Piaget – Preoperational

Intuitive thought (ages ~4–7); egocentrism diminishes; imaginative/pretend play increases.

Preschooler Erikson – Initiative vs. Guilt

Encourages age-appropriate tasks; success builds self-esteem; guilt can arise with failure.

Preschool activities

Pretend play, drawing, puzzles, books, crafts, sports, social play.

Preschool immunizations

DTaP, MMR, varicella, IPV by age 4–6; annual influenza; check schedules.

5-2-1-0 guideline

5 servings fruits/vegetables, 2 hours screen time or less, 1 hour physical activity, 0 sugar-sweetened beverages.

School-age growth

Weight 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb) per year; height about 2 inches (5 cm) per year; prepubertal changes around age 9.

Concrete Operational (Piaget)

School-age thinking: understands mass/volume, tells time, solves problems; concrete reasoning.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson stage for school-age; mastery fosters competence; comparison can lead to inferiority.

School-age vaccines

DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella by age ~6; influenza yearly; Tdap at 11–12; HPV, MCV4, Covid guidelines.

Scoliosis screening

Part of school-age health promotion; assess spine curvature during checks.

Adolescence – puberty changes ( females)

Breast development first, then pubic hair, axillary hair, menstruation.

Adolescence – puberty changes ( males)

Testicular enlargement first, then pubic hair, penile growth, axillary hair, facial hair.

Formal Operational thinking

Abstract, hypothetical reasoning; planning and moral reasoning develop in adolescence.

Identity vs. Role confusion

Erikson stage in adolescence; forming a personal identity and future roles.

Adolescent confidentiality

Guidelines emphasize private discussions with adolescents; parental involvement optional per guidelines.

HPV vaccine

Vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus infection; recommended starting in adolescence.

Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine

Vaccine against meningococcal disease; booster may be needed depending on age at first dose.

Atraumatic care

Pain- and fear-reducing nursing strategies during procedures (distraction, sucrose, topical anesthetics, etc.).

Routes of administration

Oral preferred, but can be optic, otic, nasal, inhalation, rectal, transdermal, topical, injections, IV.

Pediatric dosing principles

Doses based on weight (mg/kg) or BSA; adjust for age, organ maturity; require double checks.

mg/kg dose example

Pediatric dose calculation example: convert weight to kg, multiply by mg/kg, divide into appropriate doses.

Lead poisoning effects

Low-dose: distractibility, hyperactivity; high-dose: cognitive delay, anemia, organ damage; screen at ages 1–3.

Chelation therapy

Treatment to remove lead from blood using agents like calcium disodium EDTA; hydration essential.

Acetaminophen poisoning signs

Early: nausea/vomiting; hepatic injury may follow; timing dictates treatment.

Aspirin poisoning signs

Acute: GI symptoms, tinnitus, tachypnea; chronic: bleeding, more severe symptoms.

SIDS risk factors

Maternal smoking, secondhand smoke, prone sleeping, low birth weight, prematurity, nonstandard bed.

SIDS nursing care

Support families, promote supine sleep, firm mattress, remove hazards, immunize; offer home visits.

Drowning prevention

Lock toilet seats, supervise around water, fences and life jackets, teach swimming safety.

Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE)

Sudden event with apnea, color/tone changes, coughing/choking; several risk factors noted.

Poisoning risk factors

Children under 6; improper storage; keep out of reach; know poison control number.

Acetaminophen poisoning timeline

Symptoms progress from GI distress to hepatic injury; treatment depends on timing.

Disaster prevention and home safety for meds

Lock containers, label clearly, keep out of reach; know poison control number.