Adolescents Flashcards
Early Adolescence
9-12
Middle Adolescence
13-16
Later Adolescence
17-20
The hypothalamus releases_____ therefore stimulating the ________
a) GnRH
b) Anterior Pituitary
_____ and ____ are hormones released from the anterior pituitary
FSH and LH
Peak age for a height spur in girls
12
Peak age for a height spurt in boys
14
Cognitive development- Piaget
Formal operations- can think in abstract terms. Can solve hypothetical problems. Can see consequences uses deductive reasoning from general to specific. But have difficulty with future perspective (ie. smoking may cause you to have lung cancer later in life.) May influence your teaching
Erickson’s psychosocial development (adolescent)
Identity vs. Role Confusion- The child brings together everything they have learned about themselves and integrate them into a whole sense of identity. May seek- identity as runaway, or drug abuser rather than no identity.
Autonomy
Autonomy includes emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. Process of separating from parents, often shift emotional ties to other adults and develop crushes.
Acne
- Infectious disease of sebaceous glands and hair follicles.
- Psychologic distress does not correlate with disease severity
Topical creams for acne
Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, antibiotics
Oral treatments for acne
antibiotics, accutane
Health concerns of adolescent girls
- Menstrual disorders
- Vaginitis and vulvitis
- Birth Control
- Adolescent Unplanned Pregnancy
- Sexual Assault
- STDs
- Behavioral Health Disorders
Vaginitis
Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain. The cause is usually a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection.
Vulvitis
Inflammation of the soft folds of skin on the outside of the female genitalia, the vulva. The irritation can be caused by infection, allergic reaction, or injury. The skin of the vulva is especially susceptible to irritation due to its moistness and warmth.
Testicular Tumors
- Not common
- Usually malignant when found in adolescents
- Heavy, hard,painless mass palpable on anterior or lateral testes.
- Surgical removal of testicle that is affected (orchiectomy)
Varicocele
- Elongation, dilation, and tortuosity of the veins of the spermatic cord superior to the testicle.
- Most treatable cause of male-related impaired fertility.
- Often occur on the left side because the vein is greater in length
- If varicocele is present, left testicle is usually smaller than right.
Epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis of the testicle as a result of infection, chemical irritant, or local trauma.
- clinical presentation- slow onset of unilateral scrotal pain, redness, and swelling.
- Sx- urethral discharge, dysuria, fever, pyuria.
Testicular Torsion
Tunica vaginalis, which normally encases the testicle, fails to do so and so the testes hangs free from vascular structures.
- Severe torsion= swollen, painful, red, warm, appears immobile.
- Precursors- rapid growth and increasing vascularity of the testicle.
- Most common cause of testicular loss in younger males.
- Emergency surgery is often necessary.
Gynecomatia
- Some degree of bilateral or unilateral breast enlargement.
- If prepubertal onset,evaluate for rare adrenal/gonadal tumors, liver disease, or klinefelter syndrome.
- May be drug induced.
- Possibly caused by marijuana.
- Can be fixed with plastic surgery.
Family concerns
- Child’s health and well-being
- Sibling needs
- Complicated home routines
- Hospitalization
- Financial
- Practical
A child’s pain experience is influenced by:
- Source
- Cognitive development
- Pain history
- Anxiety (child & parent)
- Culture
