Do NOT give aspirin to children. It is associated with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition affecting the liver and brain.
➡️ Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead (age-appropriate dosing).
Assessment in severe diarrhea
Priority assessments include:
Signs of dehydration: dry mucous membranes, sunken fontanel (infants), poor skin turgor
Decreased urine output
Tachycardia, lethargy
Electrolyte imbalance (monitor labs if severe)
Blood pressure in coarctation of the aorta
In Coarctation of the aorta:
Higher BP in upper extremities
Lower BP in lower extremities
Weak or delayed femoral pulses
Care of cleft lip suture site
Clean with sterile saline or water after feedings
Apply prescribed ointment
Keep site dry and intact
Use elbow restraints to prevent touching
Feed with special nipple or dropper (avoid trauma)
Erikson: Industry vs. Inferiority (school-age child)
Appropriate statement:
➡️ “I’m proud I finished my project all by myself!”
Shows productivity, accomplishment, and competence
Concerning statement before appendectomy
Red flag statement:
➡️ “I’m going to die during the surgery.”
Indicates fear, misunderstanding, and need for clarification and reassurance.
Cotton ball game for deep breathing
Place cotton balls on a table
Have child blow them across using deep breaths
➡️ Encourages lung expansion and prevents complications like Atelectasis
Data supporting failure to thrive
Signs of Failure to thrive:
Weight below 5th percentile
Lack of expected weight gain
Delayed development
Poor feeding or lack of interest in eating
Developmental task of an adolescent (Erikson)
Stage: Identity vs. Role Confusion
➡️ Key task: developing a personal identity and sense of self
Example: exploring beliefs, career goals, relationships
Discharge teaching after sickle cell crisis (hydration)
For Sickle cell disease:
Encourage increased fluid intake
Avoid dehydration (can trigger crisis)
Drink water regularly, even without thirst
Monitor for signs of recurrence (pain, fatigue)
Drooling and croup
Drooling is NOT typical of croup.
➡️ It suggests a more serious airway condition like Epiglottitis
⚠️ This is an emergency—do NOT inspect the throat; maintain airway and call for help.
First action for a 2-year-old with acute gastroenteritis
➡️ Assess hydration status first
(check mucous membranes, tears, urine output, fontanel, behavior)
First medication in an acute asthma attack
➡️ Short-acting bronchodilator: albuterol
(Relieves bronchospasm quickly in Asthma)
Handwashing and cystic fibrosis
For Cystic fibrosis:
➡️ Strict hand hygiene is essential
Prevents respiratory infections
Avoid close contact with sick individuals
Heart rate and airway obstruction
➡️ Tachycardia occurs early
(due to hypoxia and stress response)
⚠️ Bradycardia is a late, ominous sign
History question for acute rheumatic fever
Ask about:
➡️ Recent untreated strep throat
Linked to Acute rheumatic fever
How long does an ostomy for Hirschsprung’s disease last?
In Hirschsprung’s disease:
➡️ Usually temporary
Remains until definitive surgery (“pull-through”) heals
Often reversed in a few months
Pulse oximeter probe rotation
➡️ Rotate site every 4 hours
(prevents skin breakdown and ensures accuracy)
Proper action for adolescent in sickle cell crisis
For Sickle cell disease:
➡️ Increase fluids and manage pain
Encourage hydration
Administer prescribed analgesics
Provide oxygen if needed
Promote rest
Piaget stage for abstract thinking
➡️ Formal Operational Stage
Begins around age 11+
Allows abstract reasoning, hypothetical thinking
Piaget stage where object permanence develops
➡️ Sensorimotor Stage
Birth to ~2 years
Infant learns objects still exist even when out of sight
Misunderstanding use of infant car seat
Incorrect understanding:
➡️ “I can place the seat facing forward once my baby is 6 months.” ❌
Correct:
Rear-facing as long as possible (until height/weight limit)
Mouth position for infant pain relief
➡️ Slightly open mouth with relaxed tongue during sucking
Seen with pacifier or sucrose use
Promotes comfort and analgesia
NGN: Care for infant with cyanotic heart defect
For Cyanotic heart disease:
Actions to take:
Place in knee-chest position during episodes
Administer oxygen
Keep child calm (crying worsens hypoxia)
Give morphine if prescribed (reduces oxygen demand)
NGN: Actions for hypercyanotic (“tet”) spells
Seen in Tetralogy of Fallot
Indicated:
Knee-chest position
Oxygen
Morphine
Calm/comfort child
Contraindicated:
Forcing activity
Allowing prolonged crying
Delaying treatment
NGN: Adolescent cardiac prescriptions (anticipated vs contraindicated)
Anticipated:
Beta-blockers (↓ cardiac workload)
ACE inhibitors
Activity modification if needed
Contraindicated (generally):
Strenuous, competitive sports (depending on condition)
Dehydration
Stimulants without provider approval
NGN: S/S comparison (viral URI vs serious airway conditions)
Acute viral nasopharyngitis
Runny nose, mild cough, low fever
Laryngotracheobronchitis
Barking cough
Stridor
Hoarseness
Epiglottitis
Drooling
High fever
Tripod position
No cough
NGN: Croup vs epiglottitis vs foreign body aspiration
Croup
Barking cough, gradual onset
Epiglottitis
Drooling, dysphagia, sudden severe distress
Foreign body aspiration
Sudden onset
Choking episode
Unilateral breath sounds
Normal behavior of an 8-month-old when parents leave
➡️ Separation anxiety (crying when parent leaves)
Normal developmental milestone
Nutritional needs of toddlers
➡️ Growth rate slows, so appetite decreases
“Picky eating” is normal
Small, frequent meals recommended
Pain scale for a 3-year-old
➡️ FACES Pain Scale
Uses facial expressions
Appropriate for ages 3+
Parent teaching about regression during hospitalization
➡️ Regression (e.g
70