Pediatric Assessment Flashcards
What are the 4 categories of development?
Physical
Cognitive
Psychosocial
What is Freud’s theory of development?
Certain development of a child’s body are very important to certain phases in their lives
What is Erickson’s theory of development?
Talks about series of conflicts children need to overcome to go over the next level.
Trust vs. Mistrust
How do you communicate with the pediatric population?
Provide for privacy and comfort
Use age appropriate therapeutic techniques
Employ active listening
Observe nonverbal behavior
Show empathy and allow choices if possible
Assess level of understanding
Explain reason behind actions
Demonstrate/illustrate for young children
Don’t ever lie, warn them of hurts
Provide appropriate plate
Family is huge!
How do you approach an infant?
Keep infant and caregiver together
Infant is in that trust vs. mistrust stage - can do exam on parent’s lap (esp when their 6 months) d/t stranger anxiety
no head to toe exam; or VS
Listen while they are quiet
Leave uncomfortable stuff for last (ears, eyes, mouth, hips)
- however, if start off crying then do uncomfortable things first
Beware of Pee!
How do you approach a toddler in terms of doing an assessment?
Toddlers are the most challenging age group
Really important to start getting the trust with the kid by talking to the parent first
Allow them to touch equipment (have 2 of everything, one to assess and the other for play)
Leave uncomfortable stuff last
How do you approach a preschooler in terms of doing an assessment?
Preschoolers are more cooperative, but still need parents close by
Have them do jobs (hold this, do this for me)
Have them handle equipment
Can do Head to toe
How do you approach a school age child in terms of doing an assessment?
Engage with them –> speak with the child first and then the parent
- warm up to them and talk about school, sports, friends
Allow child to speak for their own health
Engage patient for compliance
Ask get to know questions –> proceed with head to toe
Have modesty and provide gowns
Health assessment –> time for education
How do you approach an adolescent in terms of doing assessment?
Sometimes should be done w/o their parent or primary caregiver
Parents and adolescent can be spoke too, but at some point of the assessment speak to the adolescent individually to speak about mental health, substance, sexual activity
Do head to toe
Talk about puberty
As assessing every system, inform about what is going on
What are anthropometric measures?
Weight Height Head circumference BMI Growth Charts -trends are most important -Changes in any of the above may be a first sign of a serious health status change
