Life Span & Special Populations Flashcards
Adolescent
A child 12 to 18 years of age.
Decompensatory Respiratory Distress
Increased respiratory effort caused by impaired respiratory function.
Compensated Respiratory Distress
When the respiratory compensatory mechanisms have begun to
fail and respiration becomes inadequate
Fontanelle
The “soft spot” on the top of an infant’s head where the bony plates of the skull have not yet fused together
Infant
A child from birth to 1 year; during the first month, referred to as a neonate.
Neonate
A child from birth to 1 month of age.
Neglect
Insufficient attention or provision of respect to someone who has
a claim to that attention.
Abuse
Improper or excessive action taken that injures or causes harm.
Preschooler
A child 3 to 6 years of age.
School-aged child
A child 6 to 12 years of age.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The sudden and unexpected death of an infant or young child in which an autopsy fails to identify the cause of death; typically occurs while the neonate/infant is asleep
- Experts report an increased risk factor in premature infants, babies that sleep on their back and/or on a soft surface, and babies exposed to secondhand smoke
Toddler
A child 1 to 3 years of age.
Normal range of vitals for Neonate/Infant
- HR: 140- 160 per min
- Respiratory volume: 7-8 mL/kg at birth increasing to 10-15 mL/kg at 1 year
- RR: 40-60 at birth, 30-40 soon after birth
- Systolic BP: 70 mmHg at birth, 90 mmHg at 1 yr
Special considerations for infants
- Head is 25% of weight at birth
- Newborns weight drops by 10% at first, then increases at 5-6 oz per week after 2nd week
- Shorter, narrower, softer airway/trachea
- Lung tissue is fragile
- Infections and stress cause an increase in respiration –> infants more susceptible to dehydration and loss of body heat
- More diaphragmatic breathing
- Increased pressure in the heart as connections to mother’s bloodstream close slowly, heart tissue is weaker
- Infants gain antibodies (& therefore immune system) from mother –> “Passive immunity”
- Fontanelle is sensitive and depresses with dehydration and bulges with head injury & crying
- At first sleep 16 to 18 hours per day, decreases to 14 to 16 hours per day
- 25% of infant weight is muscle
- Only bones in fingers are hard, the rest are soft (mostly cartilage)
- Infants bond with people who meet their needs
- Communicate by crying
Passive immunity
The amount of antibodies infants received from their mother while in the uterus.
Epiphysis
Rounded end of a long bone, where these bones grow
Babinski reflex
Stroking the sole of the infant’s foot should produce the following: toes spread outward and upward
- This reflex usually goes away after the first several months
Babkin reflex
With the infant lying supine, press on his/her palms. The infant’s mouth should open and the eyes close.
- This reflex eventually goes away.
Moro reflex
While near the infant, make a loud noise. Infants should stretch their arms and legs, spread their fingers, and then hug themselves.
- This reflex usually goes away after the first several months of life
Palmar grasp reflex
Place an object in the palm of the infant’s hand. The fingers should curl around the object.
- This reflex usually goes away after the first several months of life.
Rooting reflex
Touch the infant’s cheek or near the lips. The infant should turn toward the stimulation (side you are touching) and pucker the mouth.
Stepping reflex
Hold the infant upright at the waist with the infant’s feet touching a solid surface. The infant should make stepping motions, as if walking.
Sucking reflex
Touch the infant’s mouth with a nipple. The infant’s lips should begin to pucker and start sucking.
Tonic neck reflex
If you place the infant in the supine position, the infant turns his or her head and extends the arms and legs on the side of the body toward which the head is turned.