Adolescent Health Flashcards
Define adolescents?
Depends on the society but, generally, 10-19 years
What happens during adolescence?
Significant biopsychosocial development
Biological changes during adolescence?
Puberty, growth and CNS development (increase in grey matter and synaptic connections)
Psychological changes that occur during adolescence?
Change in the way of thinking (from concrete, as a child, to abstract)
Identity development
Morality
Social changes that occur during adolescence?
Developing autonomy
Changing relationships
How is pubertal development staged?
Tanner stages
Describe the tanner stages
Pre-puberty (Tanner stage 1):
• Girls - no signs of pubertal development
• Boys - high voice and no signs of pubertal development
In puberty (Tanner stage 2-3): • Girls - any of breast enlargement (as long as nipples also enlarge), any pubic or axillary hair • Boys - reddening of the scrotum, early testicular/penile enlargement, early pubic/axillary hair
Completing puberty (Tanner stage 4-5):
• Girls - started menarche with breast, pubic and axillary hair development
• Boys - voice fully broken, adult size penis with pubic AND axillary hair growth, facial hair
Mnemonic for assessment of developmental stages?
Sexual maturation and growth
Thinking
Education/employment
Peers/parents
Definition of competence?
Understand simple terms and the nature, purpose and necessity for proposed treatment
Understand benefits, risks and effects of, as well as the alternatives to, non-treatment
Understand that the info applies to them
Retain the information long enough to make a choice
Make a choice free from pressure
Framework for history-taking topics to consider with an adolescent?
HEEADSSS: • Home (home life/relationships) • Education/employment (school progress/financial concerns) • Eating (weight, body image) • Activities (peers, physical activity) • Drugs • Sex (activity, orientation, STIs) • Suicidality • Safety (risk taking behaviour/criminality)
Why is adolescence a particularly important stage in tackling health problems?
Many disease states develop in adolescent years, e.g: mental health and obesity
Poorly managed morbidity in adolescence usually carries into adulthood
Why should care be taken when prescribing to obese teenagers?
Risk of overdose, due to their body fat; you must prescribe for ideal body weight
Why are the guidelines for DKA management different for adolescents, compared to adults?
Too many fluids could cause cerebral oedema
Over a 24 hour period, males rarely need >2500 ml and females rarely need >2000 ml
