Pediatrics Flashcards
What is a key difference between pediatric and adult history-taking?
A) Pediatric history requires input from caregivers for infants.
B) Vaccination history is not relevant in pediatric history.
C) Pediatric patients can provide a complete medical history independently.
D) Developmental milestones are irrelevant in pediatric history.
Correct Answer: A) Pediatric history requires input from caregivers for infants.
Explanation:
A) Correct. Infants cannot communicate their concerns or medical history, so healthcare providers rely entirely on caregivers for this information.
B) Incorrect. Vaccination history is a critical part of pediatric history as it provides insights into the child’s immunity and adherence to preventive health measures.
C) Incorrect. Pediatric patients, especially younger children, cannot provide a complete medical history independently, though older children and adolescents can contribute partially.
D) Incorrect. Developmental milestones are essential to pediatric history as they help assess whether a child is developing normally for their age.
Which tool is commonly used to assess developmental milestones in pediatric patients?
A) BMI-for-age chart
B) Ages and Stages Questionnaire
C) APGAR score
D) Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory
Correct Answer: B) Ages and Stages Questionnaire
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. The BMI-for-age chart is used to monitor growth patterns, not developmental milestones.
B) Correct. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a standardized tool that helps assess developmental milestones across domains such as cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.
C) Incorrect. The APGAR score is used at birth to assess the newborn’s immediate physical condition, not long-term developmental milestones.
D) Incorrect. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory measures quality of life, not specific developmental progress.
Which developmental milestone is typical for a 6-month-old infant?
A) Sits without support steadily
B) Rolls front to back
C) Creeps or crawls
D) Walks with one hand held
Correct Answer: B) Rolls front to back
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. Sitting without support typically develops closer to 7 months of age.
B) Correct. Rolling front to back is a gross motor milestone that is commonly achieved by 4-6 months of age.
C) Incorrect. Creeping or crawling typically develops around 8-9 months.
D) Incorrect. Walking with one hand held is a milestone reached at around 11-12 months.
What is the best approach when taking a history from a school-age child?
A) Only speak to the parents for accurate information.
B) Rely solely on the child’s account of their symptoms.
C) Observe the dynamic between the child and parents during history-taking.
D) Avoid asking the child questions to prevent shyness.
Correct Answer: C) Observe the dynamic between the child and parents during history-taking.
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. Both the parents’ and the child’s input are important for a comprehensive history.
B) Incorrect. While the child’s account is valuable, parents provide additional context and details.
C) Correct. Observing interactions can provide insights into family dynamics and the child’s emotional state, which may influence the assessment.
D) Incorrect. Engaging the child directly when appropriate fosters trust and allows the provider to gather valuable information.
A 9-month-old infant is brought to your clinic. Which observation suggests a delay in gross motor development?
A) Sits without support steadily
B) Pulls to a standing position
C) Creeps on hands and knees
D) Cannot sit independently
Correct Answer: D) Cannot sit independently
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. Sitting without support is a normal milestone for a 9-month-old.
B) Incorrect. Pulling to stand is an advanced milestone often seen around this age.
C) Incorrect. Creeping is a gross motor milestone for 9 months.
D) Correct. By 9 months, infants are expected to sit independently; inability to do so could indicate a motor delay.
Which of the following is the most important when obtaining a pediatric social history?
A) Parental occupational history
B) Child’s extracurricular activities
C) Family structure and dynamics
D) Caregiver’s dietary habits
Correct Answer: C) Family structure and dynamics
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. While parental occupational history may provide context, it is not central to the child’s social environment.
B) Incorrect. Extracurricular activities are relevant but not as critical as understanding family structure and dynamics.
C) Correct. Understanding family structure and dynamics is crucial as it directly influences the child’s environment, support systems, and well-being.
D) Incorrect. Caregiver dietary habits are relevant for nutritional counseling but are not central to the social history.
A 4-year-old child is unable to stack blocks, has difficulty using utensils, and is not toilet-trained. What area of development is most likely delayed?
A) Social-emotional
B) Fine motor
C) Gross motor
D) Language
Correct Answer: B) Fine motor
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. While social-emotional development may impact behavior, it is not the main area of concern based on the described delays.
B) Correct. Stacking blocks and using utensils are fine motor skills. Delays in these activities point to fine motor development issues.
C) Incorrect. Gross motor skills involve larger movements like running or jumping, not the activities described.
D) Incorrect. Language development is not directly assessed through the described activities.
Stacking Blocks (Fine Motor):
By 18 months to 2 years, children can stack 2–4 blocks.
By 3 years, they can stack 6–10 blocks.
A 4-year-old struggling to stack blocks indicates a fine motor delay.
Using Utensils (Fine Motor):
By 15–18 months, children begin to use spoons.
By 2–3 years, they can use a fork effectively.
By 4 years, children should be able to manage basic utensils.
Toilet Training (Social/Behavioral):
Readiness for toilet training typically starts between 2–3 years, though some children may take longer.
By 4 years, most children are toilet trained during the day, with some still working on nighttime dryness. Persistent challenges at this age may warrant evaluation for developmental, sensory, or medical issues.
Which of the following is a red flag in pediatric development?
A) A 12-month-old who has not yet begun walking
B) A 3-year-old who does not speak in sentences
C) A 6-month-old who rolls front to back but not back to front
D) A 9-month-old who cannot pull to stand
Correct Answer: B) A 3-year-old who does not speak in sentences
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. While some children walk by 12 months, it is still within the normal range for walking to occur by 15-18 months.
B) Correct. By age 3, children are expected to speak in short sentences. Lack of this ability warrants further evaluation.
C) Incorrect. Rolling front to back typically develops slightly earlier than back to front, and a 6-month-old may still be developing this skill.
D) Incorrect. Pulling to stand typically develops closer to 10-11 months, so a 9-month-old not doing this is not a red flag.
When communicating with adolescents during a health assessment, which approach is most effective?
A) Address only the caregiver to avoid resistance.
B) Assume adolescents understand all medical terminology.
C) Maintain confidentiality unless there are safety concerns.
D) Avoid asking direct questions about sensitive topics.
Correct Answer: C) Maintain confidentiality unless there are safety concerns.
Explanation:
A) Incorrect. Directly addressing the adolescent helps build trust and ensures their concerns are heard.
B) Incorrect. Adolescents may not understand all medical terminology; it’s important to explain in simple terms.
C) Correct. Confidentiality fosters trust, and exceptions are made only when there are safety concerns such as abuse or harm.
D) Incorrect. Sensitive topics should be addressed appropriately to understand the adolescent’s well-being.
Which behavior might indicate a developmental concern in a 2-year-old child?
A) Limited eye contact with caregivers
B) Using two-word phrases
C) Tantrums during transitions
D) Preferring solitary play at times
Correct Answer: A) Limited eye contact with caregivers
Explanation:
A) Correct. Limited eye contact is a potential early sign of developmental concerns such as autism spectrum disorder.
B) Incorrect. Using two-word phrases is a normal milestone for a 2-year-old.
C) Incorrect. Tantrums are a typical part of development at this age as children learn to manage emotions.
D) Incorrect. Occasional solitary play is normal for toddlers and not a cause for concern.
At what age does an infant typically begin to smile spontaneously at pleasurable sights or sounds?
A. 1 month
B. 4 months
C. 3 months
D. 2 months
Correct Answer: B. 4 months
A. 1 month: Infant may start to show brief social smiles.
C. 3 months: Smiles more responsively, especially at people.
D. 2 months: Social smiles begin, often in response to a caregiver
Which of the following gross motor milestones is typically achieved by a 6-month-old?
A. Rolls back to front
B. Sits momentarily propped on hands
C. Cruises around furniture
D. Bounces when held
Correct Answer: B. Sits momentarily propped on hands
A. Rolls back to front: Typically seen around 4–6 months.
C. Cruises around furniture: Typically seen around 10–12 months.
D. Bounces when held: Usually occurs at 4–5 months.
At what age does a child begin to develop stranger anxiety?
A. 4 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 12 months
Correct Answer: B. 6 months
A. 4 months: Prefers familiar people but no clear stranger anxiety yet.
C. 9 months: Stranger anxiety peaks around this age.
D. 12 months: Stranger anxiety continues but may start to decrease.
At what age can a child typically feed themselves crackers and place their hands on a bottle?
A. 5 months
B. 4 months
C. 6 months
D. 8 months
Correct Answer: C. 6 months
A. 5 months: May start to bring objects to their mouth but not coordinated for feeding.
B. 4 months: Hand-mouth coordination begins, but feeding is not developed.
D. 8 months: Starts holding and drinking from a bottle more independently.
A parent reports their child is not babbling consonant sounds. This is concerning if the child is at least:
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
C. 12 months
D. 8 months
Correct Answer: B. 9 months
A. 6 months: Vocalizes with vowel sounds and coos, but consonants are rare.
C. 12 months: Uses words like “mama” or “dada” specifically.
D. 8 months: Begins to babble with more consonant-vowel combinations.
At what age does an infant typically start using gestures with vocalizing, such as waving or reaching?
A. 8 months
B. 10 months
C. 12 months
D. 9 months
Correct Answer: C. 12 months
A. 8 months: Uses gestures like reaching without vocalizing.
B. 10 months: Waves “bye-bye” but not consistently paired with vocalizing.
D. 9 months: May start pointing but not with intentional vocalizing.
Which milestone is expected by 18 months of age?
A. Builds a 4-cube tower
B. Walks well
C. Creeps up stairs
D. Points to 2 objects of 3 when named
Correct Answer: A. Builds a 4-cube tower
B. Walks well: Typically seen by 12–15 months.
C. Creeps up stairs: Typically occurs at 15–18 months.
D. Points to 2 objects of 3 when named: Typically occurs by 24 months.
What social-emotional milestone is typically seen in a 7-month-old infant?
A. Recognizes familiar people visually
B. Follows a point, such as “Look at…”
C. Experiences separation anxiety
D. Alternates gaze between object and parent when wanting help
Correct Answer: D. Alternates gaze between object and parent when wanting help
A. Recognizes familiar people visually: Occurs around 3–4 months.
B. Follows a point, such as “Look at…”: Typically occurs around 12 months.
C. Experiences separation anxiety: Begins around 6–9 months.
At what age can a child typically perform the fine motor skill of transferring objects hand-to-hand?
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 5 months
D. 7 months
Correct Answer: B. 6 months
A. 3 months: Can grasp objects but not transfer between hands.
C. 5 months: May start transferring objects, but not consistently.
D. 7 months: Transfers objects hand-to-hand with more ease.
Which of the following cognitive milestones is most characteristic of a 10-month-old infant?
A. Enjoys gesture games
B. Uncovers toys under a cloth
C. Finds partially hidden objects
D. Looks at pictures in a book
Correct Answer: B. Uncovers toys under a cloth
A. Enjoys gesture games: Typically occurs by 9 months.
C. Finds partially hidden objects: Occurs as early as 7 months.
D. Looks at pictures in a book: Develops around 12 months.
Here a some Mnemonics to help remember mile stones
Motor Milestones
* Sit at 6
* Balance by 7
* Crawl at 8; its
* Night stand/ which is really at 9 you start to stand i.e. creeping or pulling on things to stand & bear walks
* Walk at 1
What symptom differentiates GERD from physiological reflux in infants?
A. Spitting up after feeding
B. Frequent postprandial regurgitation causing failure to thrive
C. Vomiting that resolves by 12 months
D. Turning red and straining during bowel movements
B: Correct. GERD is characterized by symptoms like regurgitation causing failure to thrive, indicating complications beyond normal reflux.
A: Spitting up after feeding is a normal feature of physiological reflux.
C: Vomiting that resolves by 12 months is typical of physiological reflux, not GERD.
D: Straining during bowel movements is unrelated to GERD; it may indicate constipation.
Which of the following is a red flag symptom for infantile colic?
A. Crying >3 hours per day, >3 days per week, for >3 months
B. Corneal abrasion
C. Fever with lethargy
D. Clenched fists and cold feet during crying episodes
**C: Correct. Fever with lethargy could indicate a serious underlying condition, such as sepsis, and warrants further investigation.
**Explanation: Fever combined with lethargy is a potential indicator of serious systemic conditions like sepsis, meningitis, or severe infections.
Why It’s Correct: These symptoms suggest a possible life-threatening condition requiring immediate diagnostic workup (e.g., blood cultures, lumbar puncture).
A: While this describes colic, it is not a red flag symptom.
B: Corneal abrasion is a less severe differential diagnosis for crying and does not constitute a red flag.
D: These are common findings in colic but do not indicate a severe condition.
Colic: Symptoms (crying >3 hours/day, >3 days/week, >3 months, tense abdomen, drawn-up legs), diagnostic criteria (diagnosis of exclusion), and management.
Constipation: Symptoms (e.g., <3 BM/week, pain with defecation, retentive posturing), causes (potty training, fears), and differentiation from normal straining in infants.
Diarrhea: Symptoms of acute and chronic diarrhea (e.g., recurrent unformed stools, malabsorption syndromes) and their potential causes.
Abdominal Pain: Functional abdominal pain (recurrent, non-specific, associated with stress), and red-flag symptoms requiring further investigation (e.g., dysphagia, weight loss, GI blood loss).
What is the first-line naturopathic recommendation for chronic constipation in toddlers?
A. Magnesium citrate powder
B. Castor oil abdominal massage
C. Increasing dietary fiber, fruits, and water
D. Stimulant laxatives such as senna or bisacodyl
C: Correct. Increasing fiber, fruits, vegetables, and water addresses the root cause of constipation.
Explanation: Constipation in children is often functional and related to low dietary fiber or water intake. Addressing the root cause involves improving diet.
Why It’s Correct: Increasing dietary fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) adds bulk to stools, while adequate hydration ensures easier stool passage, effectively treating the underlying issue without over-reliance on laxatives.
A: Magnesium citrate may help but is not the first recommendation; dietary changes are prioritized.
B: Castor oil massage is a supportive therapy but not the first-line intervention.
D: Stimulant laxatives are part of allopathic management, not naturopathic.