Life Span Development

Question 1

What is the age range of a neonate?

Answer 1

The neonatal period is the first 4 week’s of a child’s life (birth to 1 month).

Question 2

What is the age range of an infant?

Answer 2

An infant is 1 month to 1 year of age.

Question 3

What is the age range of a toddler?

Answer 3

A toddler is 1 to 3 years of age.

Question 4

What is the age range of a preschooler?

Answer 4

A preschooler is 3 to 6 years of age.

Question 5

What is the age range of a school-age child?

Answer 5

A school-age child is 6 to 12 years old.

Question 6

What is the age range of an adolescent?

Answer 6

An adolescent is 12 to 18 years of age.

Question 7

What are the age ranges of adulthood?

Answer 7

Early adulthood is 19 to 40 years of age. Middle adulthood is 41 to 60 years of age. Late adulthood is 61 years and older.

Question 8

List the approximate normal vital signs of a neonate.

Answer 8

Normal respiratory rate of a newborn is about 30 to 60 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal pulse rate is about 100 to 180 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 50 to 70 systolic (mm Hg).

Question 9

List the approximate normal vital signs of an infant.

Answer 9

Normal respiratory rate of an infant is about 25 to 50 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal pulse rate for an infant is about 100 to 160 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 70 to 95 systolic (mm Hg).

Question 10

List the approximate normal vital signs of a toddler.

Answer 10

Normal respiration rate of a toddler is about 20 to 30 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal heart rate is about 90 to 150 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 80 to 100 systolic (mm Hg).

Question 11

List the approximate normal vital signs of a preschooler.

Answer 11

Normal respiration rate of a preschooler is about 20 to 25 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal heart rate is about 80 to 140 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 80 to 100 systolic (mm Hg).

Question 12

List the approximate normal vital signs of a school-age child.

Answer 12

Normal respiratory rate of a school-age child is about 15 to 20 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal heart rate is about 70 to 120 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 80 to 100 systolic (mm Hg).

Question 13

List the approximate normal vital signs of an adolescent.

Answer 13

Normal respiratory rate of an adolescent is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal heart rate is about 60 to 100 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 90 to 110 systolic (mm Hg).

Question 14

List the approximate normal vital signs of an adult.

Answer 14

Normal respiration rate of an adult is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute (bpm). Normal pulse rate is about 60 to 100 beats per minute. Normal blood pressure is about 90 to 130 systolic (mm Hg.)

Question 15

What is the typical weight of a newborn?

Answer 15

The typical newborn weight is about 6 to 8 pounds (3 to 3.5 kilograms). The newborn’s weight will typically double by 6 months and triple by 1 year.

Question 16

Describe the anatomical features of a newborn’s head.

Answer 16

The newborn’s head makes up about 25% of the body and is a significant source of heat loss.

Question 17

Why do neonates lose weight during the first few days of life?

Answer 17

During the first couple of weeks, neonates often lose weight, and then begin to gain it back. This is called physiological weight loss, mainly due to fluid reduction. Neonatal weight loss is also a consequence of the use of adipose tissue as a source of energy by the newborns.

Question 18

At what age are the newborn’s fontanelles fully fused?

Answer 18

Newborn fontanelles (soft spots on the skull) are fully fused by about 18 months.

Question 19

What do depressed fontanelles indicate?

Answer 19

Depressed fontanelles indicate probable hypovolemia, usually due to dehydration.

Question 20

What do bulging fontanelles indicate?

Answer 20

Bulging fontanelles indicate increased intracranial pressure.

Question 21

What is barotrauma?

Answer 21

Hyperventilation (forceful ventilations and overinflation) increase pressure in the lungs and can result in pressure-induced trauma, referred to as barotrauma. Barotrauma is damage to body tissue secondary to pressure difference in enclosed cavities within the body. It is important to remember that neonate’s have fragile lungs.

Question 22

What is the startle reflex in a neonate?

Answer 22

The startle reflex (or Moro reflex) is illustrated when a neonate is caught off guard and startled, at which time they open their arms wide, spread their fingers, and appear to be grabbing for something.

Question 23

What is the grip reflex in a neonate?

Answer 23

The grip reflex (or palmar grasp reflex) occurs when an object is placed into a neonate’s palm and he or she instinctively closes his or her hand around the object.

Question 24

What is the rooting reflex?

Answer 24

The rooting reflex is displayed when something touches the neonate’s cheek and he or she intuitively turns his or her head in the direction of the touch.

Question 25

What is the sucking reflex?

Answer 25

The sucking reflex is illustrated when a breastfeeding mother strokes her baby’s lips with her nipple, prompting the neonate to latch on.

Question 26

Describe noticeable psychosocial characteristics infants display at 6 months.

Answer 26

At 6 months infants typically begin teething, sit up right, track objects visually, and speak one-syllable words.

Question 27

Describe noticeable psychosocial characteristics infants display at 12 months.

Answer 27

At 12 months infants typically know their name, recognize parents or caregivers, walk with assistance, and speak a few words.

Question 28

Describe physiological and psychosocial characteristics toddlers and preschoolers display.

Answer 28

As the immune system develops in toddlers or preschoolers, children at this age typically experience a number of minor colds, viruses, flu-like symptoms, respiratory infections, etc. In addition, at this age, fine motor skills improve, and the brain grows rapidly in size.

Answer 29

Toddlers typically walk, climb, distinguish basic shapes and colors, and are potty-trained.

Answer 30

Preschoolers are physically coordinated, communicate well verbally, know their name and address, can dress themselves, and can count to 10 or beyond.

Question 31

When does separation anxiety develop?

Answer 31

Separation anxiety peaks between 10 and 18 months of age.

Question 32

Describe physiological and psychosocial characteristics school-age children display.

Answer 32

Baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, brain activity in both hemispheres increases significantly, the musculoskeletal system is growing rapidly, and at this age children learn various types of reasoning. Furthermore, school age children are able to read and write, develop basic problem-solving skills, begin to develop their self-concept and self-esteem, accept rules set by authority figures, and understand the concept of death.

Question 33

Describe physiological and psychosocial characteristics adolescents display.

Answer 33

Significant physical growth occurs over about a three-year period. Eating disorders are more common in this age group. Puberty occurs. Adolescents often exhibit argumentative behavior, and are hypercritical and egocentric, do not anticipate consequences of their actions, are subject to a great deal of peer pressure, are at a higher risk of depression and suicide, are preoccupied with body image and physical appearance, and become sexually active.

Question 34

Describe physiological and psychosocial characteristics adults display.

Answer 34

Mild physical decline typically develops in the middle adult age group. Women typically experience menopause during middle adulthood. Continued physical and mental decline is common in late adulthood. Older adults frequently have extensive medical histories and are on multiple medications.

Question 35

While assessing an infant, you note depressed fontanelles. What does this indicate?

Answer 35

This indicates that the infant is most likely dehydrated.