Ch. 30 Flashcards
brain ____ in childhood
continues to develop
the brain increasingly takes over ___ function
reflexive function
- purposeful movements
neuromotor function is (direction of development)
cephalocaudal (head to toe: child has to develop head control before total body movements like walking)
proximodistal (proximal before distal: hold a bottle before learning to walk)
50% of postnatal brain growth is achieved by
age 1 year
75% of postnatal brain growth is achieved by
age 3
90% of postnatal brain growth is achieved by
age 6
primitive reflexes are
involuntary in nature but signify that the child is developing their central nervous system properly
primitive reflexes are predominant in the first
4-6 months of life
if primitive reflexes persist past 6 months, suggests that the child will
struggle with motor and cognitive functioning as they get older
myelination of nerve tracks in the CNS allows for
progressive neuro motor function
follows a cephalocaudal pattern
children with open fontanels compensate for increased volume by
skull expansion
posterior fontanel closes within the first
2 months of life
anterior fontanel closes between the first
12-18 months of life
premature closure of the fontanels can result in
craniosynostosis
level of consciousness: assessment
- length of LOC (loss of consciousness)
- head injury? –> amnesia
LOC is a way to assess
improvement or deterioration in condition
retrograde amnesia
- inability to recall past memories
- unable to access memories of events that happened before the injury/disease that caused altered LOC
- generally able to remember meaning and information but not specific events or situations
anterograde amnesia
- inability to make new memories
- can be permanent
- often caused from trauma (head trauma)
- cannot transform short-term to long-term memory
the patient with a loss of consciousness may develop sx of:
seizure
vomiting
progressive headaches
nursing care for patient with LOC
- need thorough history
- monitor closely
LOC (loss of consciousness) is typically indicative of
increased intracranial pressure
earliest indicator of deterioration or improvement
level of consciousness
full consciousness
awake
A&O x4 with behavior appropriate for age
unconsciousness
the inability to respond to sensory stimuli and have subjective experiences
confusion
impaired decision making
disorientation
confusion regarding time, place; decreased LOC
lethargy
limited spontaneous movement, sluggish speech, drowsy
obtunded
arousable with stimulation
stupor
remaining in deep sleep, responsive only to vigorous and repeated stimulation
coma
no motor or verbal response to noxious (painful) stimuli
persistant vegetative state
- permanently lost function of the cerebral cortex
- eyes follow objects only by reflex or when attracted to the direction of loud sounds; all four limbs are spastic but can withdraw from painful stimuli; hands show reflexive grasping and groping; the face can grimace, some food may be swallowed, and the child may groan or cry but utter no words
a mini-neurologic exam includes
degree of responsiveness
vital signs: increase or decrease (ie hypothermia in infants with infection)
pupillary findings: pinpoint (accidental ingestion), dilated (post seizure) nonreactive (poisoning)
glasgow coma scale