Life Span Development Flashcards
What is lifespan development?
Refers to age-related changes that occur from birth, throughout a person’s life, into and during old age.
Name the six stages of lifespan development.
- Prenatal Development
- Infancy
- Childhood
- Adolescence
- Early Adulthood
- Middle Age
- Older Age
What occurs during the first trimester of prenatal development?
Embryological and foetal development where the beginnings of all the major organ systems appear being laid down as ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
What is primarily developed during the second trimester of prenatal development?
Development of organs and organ systems; body shape and proportions change.
What happens during the third trimester of prenatal development?
Rapid foetal growth and deposition of adipose tissue; major organ systems become fully functioning.
Fill in the blank: The placenta starts developing at week ______.
1
When does the heart and foetal circulation begin to develop?
Week 3
What dramatic changes occur at birth regarding the circulatory system?
- Blood rushes into the pulmonary system
- Ductus Arteriosus constricts
- Foramen Ovale closes
- Ductus Venosus closure
True or False: Humans are born fully formed.
False
What are the characteristics of the respiratory system in infants?
- Rib cage is soft & cartilaginous
- Poorly developed intercostal muscles
- Preferential nasal breathers
- Airway diameters are small
How many bones are infants born with?
300
What is the average weight gain for infants in the first 6 months?
2lb per month
What is the typical weight for a 1-year-old boy?
10kg
Identify the age range for childhood.
From 2 – 10 years
What marks the beginning of adolescence?
Puberty (10-14 years for girls and 12-16 years for boys)
What changes occur in the musculoskeletal system during adolescence?
- Accelerated bone deposition
- Increased strength and endurance of skeletal muscle
Fill in the blank: The boundary between adolescence and maturity is ______.
hazy
What is transient exuberance in the context of physical growth?
Rapid growth phases where body parts grow at different rates.
What are factors influencing growth and development?
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors (family, culture, nutrition, etc.)
What is the impact of poor nutrition on a child’s growth?
A poorly nourished child is more likely to have infections and may not attain their potential height.
What hormone is primarily responsible for sex-specific differences in muscle mass during adolescence?
Testosterone
How does the central nervous system change during adolescence?
Sex hormones affect the central nervous system, increasing sex drive and sexual behaviors.
What happens to the growth rate after puberty?
Both continue to grow at a slower pace up until 18-21 years.
What defines physical maturity?
When physical growth stops.
What is the significance of critical period times during prenatal development?
Systems are vulnerable during these times.
What is primary aging?
The inevitable process of the body’s natural deterioration that takes place during life
Primary aging is a natural process that cannot be avoided.
What is secondary aging?
Results from disease and poor health practices and are often preventable to some degree
Secondary aging can be mitigated through lifestyle changes.
List manifestations of aging.
- Cellular changes
- Altered elimination
- Altered metabolic processes
- Altered perfusion
- Altered nutrition
- Appearance changes
- Fluid/electrolyte imbalance
- Impaired mobility
- Impaired immune response
- Proliferative changes
- Aging of tissues
These manifestations indicate various physical changes that occur with aging.
What happens to tissue repair as one ages?
Maintenance processes slow down and tissue repair speed and effectiveness decreases
Aging affects the body’s ability to heal and recover.
What are some alterations to the skin due to aging?
- Thinning of epidermis
- Decreased Vitamin D and glandular activity
- Thinning of dermis
- Decreased blood supply
- Reduced hair production
These changes contribute to the visible signs of aging.
Define the term ‘lifespan development’.
Refers to age-related changes that occur from birth, throughout a person’s life, into and during old age
Lifespan development encompasses all stages of life and their associated changes.
What are the six stages of lifespan development?
- Infancy
- Childhood
- Adolescence
- Early Adulthood
- Middle Age
- Older Age
Each stage is characterized by distinct physical, emotional, and social developments.
What age range defines ‘Early Adulthood’?
Approximately from 20-40 years
This period is marked by significant intellectual, emotional, and social development.
What are practical precautions to take when working with elderly patients?
- No jewellery
- No long or artificial nails
- Hand washing to prevent infections
- Beware of friction in manual handling activities
- Regular changes in posture/position
These precautions help ensure the safety and well-being of elderly patients.
What characterizes ‘Middle Age’?
The ‘Young Old’ from 40-65 years with generally good health and gradual signs of degeneration appearing
This stage often includes significant life transitions.
What are common changes in the neurological system due to aging?
- Decrease in brain size and weight
- Loss of neurones and neurotransmitters
- Decreased blood flow
- Gradual decline in function
These changes can lead to cognitive decline and memory issues.
True or False: Aging leads to an increased incidence of cancer.
True
The immune system’s decreased responsiveness contributes to this increased risk.
What changes occur in the cardiovascular system with aging?
- Reduction in maximum cardiac output
- Changes to conducting cells
- Reduction in elasticity of cardiac muscle
- Decrease in haematocrit
- Atherosclerosis
- Increased risk of aneurysm
- Decreased function of valves in veins
These changes can lead to various cardiovascular issues.
What happens to muscle fibers as one ages?
Muscle fibers become smaller in diameter and skeletal muscle is less elastic
These changes contribute to decreased exercise tolerance.
Fill in the blank: The decline in kidney function and urinary issues are part of changes during _______.
Middle Age
This period is also characterized by menopause in women and andropause in men.
What is the impact of aging on respiratory function?
- Decrease in vital capacity
- Increased residual volume
- Stiffening of the rib cage
These changes can affect overall respiratory efficiency.
