Pediatric Nursing Growth and Development Quiz

Study Notes

Pediatric nursing focuses on improving healthcare for children and families.
Healthcare is shifting from acute care settings to community, home, short-stay centers, and clinics.
Understanding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions is crucial for pediatric nurses.
Knowledge of childhood development, family dynamics, and communication skills enhances nursing care.

Growth: An increase in cell number and size, leading to increased body size and weight.
Development: Progressive advancement from simpler to more complex stages, including maturation and learning.
Growth is quantitative change while development is qualitative.
Children grow individually, but the sequence of developmental events is predictable, while the exact timing varies.
Growth rate varies, and measurements are defined in ranges to account for individual differences.

Gender: Girls are often more advanced in physical growth at all ages.
Genetic and Constitutional Influences: These are inherent factors.
Endocrine Influences: Hormones play a role in growth and development.
Environmental Influences: Environmental factors can impact growth.
Nutritional Influences: Proper nutrition is essential for growth and development.

Directional Trend:
- Cephalocaudal: Growth proceeds from head to tail.
- Proximodistal: Growth proceeds from the center of the body outward.
Sequential Trend: Development follows a specific order, e.g., head support before sitting.

Length Measurement: Measured using a supine stadiometer in infants.
Length Growth: Infants grow about 30% in length by 5 months and > 50% by 12 months.
Height Growth: Infants grow about 25 cm in the first year. Height at 5 years is about double birth length.
Adult Height Prediction: Most boys reach half their adult height by age 2, while most girls reach half their adult height by age 19 months.
Equation for Average Height: (Age in years * 5) + 80 cm

Birth Weight: Full-term neonates lose 5 to 8% of birth weight in the first few days.
Weight Gain: Birth weight is regained within 2 weeks.
First Year Weight Growth: 750 gm in the first 4 months, then 500 gm in the second 4 months, and 250 gm in the last 4 months.
Weight Milestones: Double birth weight by 5 months, triple birth weight by 12 months, and nearly quadruple birth weight by 2 years.
Weight Increase after 2 Years: Approximately 2 kg/year until puberty.
Equation for Average Weight: (Age in years * 2)+ 8 kg

Can be a sign of serious conditions like hydrocephalus, vascular anomalies, or intracranial masses requiring urgent intervention.
Can also be associated with chronic conditions like rickets or chronic hemolytic anemia.

A condition where the head circumference is smaller than expected.
Can be caused by genetic disorders, infections during pregnancy, or other factors.

Deciduous Teeth: 20 teeth, 10 in each jaw. Replaced by permanent teeth between ages 5 and 13.
Teething: The process of tooth eruption through the gums.
Teething Symptoms: Crying, fussiness, poor sleep and eating, drooling, red and tender gums, chewing on objects.
Teething Relief: Chewing on hard or cold objects, gum massage, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Possible causes: Premature birth, low birth weight, poor nutrition, genetic conditions like Down Syndrome, or endocrine disorders.

Gross Motor: Major milestones include rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and running.
Fine Motor: Milestones include reaching, grasping, pincer grasp, drawing, and writing.
Speech Development: Milestones include babbling, first words, two-word phrases, and forming complete sentences.
Bowel and Bladder Control:
- Bladder Control: Most achieve daytime control between ages 2-4, with daytime incontinence diagnosed at age 5 or 6. Nighttime incontinence (enuresis) is usually not diagnosed until age 7.
- Bowel Control: Most achieve bowel control by age 3.
- Stool Incontinence: Involuntary passing of stool in inappropriate places in children over 4 years old or developmental equivalent.