Infant Development Packet Flashcards
what is the neonate period
first 28 days of life
what is the newborn period
birth to 6 weeks of age
what is the infancy period
2nd month/6 weeks to 12 months
how should you conduct an infant assessment
-General Survey: “Across the Room Assessment”
-History first, touch later
-Observe BEHAVIOR
-Keep infant as warm as possible
-Do least invasive procedures first
-Leave orifices or procedures that invade body integrity to last!
-Use the “trusted lap” as exam surface
-Warm your hands and stethoscope
You are assessing an 8 month old infant. In
which order would you perform vital signs to
ensure obtaining the most accurate data? (Assume T = rectal temp)
a. BP, T, RR, HR
b. RR, HR, BP, T
c. HR, RR, BP, T
d. T, RR, HR, BP
b. RR, HR, BP, T
you want to go from quiet to active, or what’s going to disturb the child least to most
what are proportion changes in the infant
-Weight gain is 5 to 7 ounces per week
-Double the birth weight by age 6 months
-Triple the birth weight by age 1 year
-Height increases by 1 inch per month for 6 months
-Double the length by age 1 year
-Head circumference 1.5 cm/month first 6 months, then 0.5 cm/month between 6-12 months
-Growth occurs in spurts rather than in a gradual pattern
what ages should you use the growth chart
0-36 months
how do you measure an infant’s length
-Recumbent length until 2 yrs
-Head to heel method
-Measuring board for infants
-Plot on CDC gender-specific growth curve
-Look for trends (i.e., jumping/falling off percentile curve)
At birth, Mary weighed 3.5 kg and was 49 cm in length, which placed her in about the 50th percentile for weight and length.
How much would you expect Mary to weigh at her 6 month appointment?
a. 15.4 lbs
b. 7.5 kg
c. 10.5 kg
d. 10.5 lbs
a. 15.4 lbs
An infant’s weight doubles in the first 6 months. 3.5x2= 7kg (x2.2=15.4lbs)
Mary was at the 50th percentile at birth and is at the 10th percentile for weight at her 6 month appointment.
Is this cause for concern? How would you advise Mary’s mother?
a. Yes, Mary’s mother should be referred to a nutrition counselor.
b. Yes, the provider should review Mary’s diet and make recommendations.
c. No, children go up and down on the growth chart and this should just be monitored.
d. No, wait until Mary’s next appointment and see what happens.
b. Yes, the provider should review Mary’s diet and make recommendations.
The trend is what’s important, but the change in percentile shouldn’t be ignored (making C and D incorrect); however, it’s only one data point, so referral to a nutritionist is not warranted yet
when do the suture ridges become unpalpable
6 months
when does the posterior fontanel close
6-8 weeks
when does the anterior fontanel close
12-18 months
how do you measure head circumference
-Usually measured at regular intervals until 3 yrs
-Wrap tape above eye-brow, above ears & over occipital prominence
-Record to nearest .5cm
-Measure 3X, take largest
-Plot on growth chart
-Assess trends
A nurse is assessing a 6 month old infant. The nurse recognizes that the posterior fontanel usually closes at what age?
a. 6-8 weeks
b. 10-12 weeks
c. 4-6 months
d. 8-10 months
a. 6-8 weeks
posterior fontanel closes first, at 6-8 weeks
increased coordination of extremeties begins at what age
4 months
what age do infants start crawling
6-7 months
when do infants start creeping
9 months
what age to infants walk with assistance
11-12 months
what age do infants walk alone
12 months
During a routine health assessment, the nurse notes that the 8-month old infant has significant head lag. Which of the following is the nurse’s most appropriate action?
a. Teach parents appropriate exercises
b. Recheck head control at the next visit
c. Refer child for further evaluation
d. Refer child for further evaluation if anterior fontanel is also open
c. Refer child for further evaluation
8 months is very late for head control (4 months is the milestone), so referral for evaluation is warranted
what are the three important tasks of cognitive development
-separation
-object permanence
-mental representation
explain the development of body image
-Concept of object permanence
-By end of first year, child recognizes that he or she is distinct from the parents
-Increased interest in image
Which of the following behaviors indicates that an infant has developed object permanence?
a. Recognizes familiar face, such as mother
b. Recognizes familiar object, such as a bottle
c. Actively searches for a hidden object
d. Secures objects by pulling at them
c. Actively searches for a hidden object
active searching indicates that the infant recognizes something still exists even when out of sight