Teach adolescents and family strategies to reduce health-compromising
behaviors and address peer pressure.
Monitor for signs and plan interventions to address depression and suicidal
ideation.
Relate health-enhancing behaviors, such as nutritious eating, regular
exercise,and driving safety with use of seat belts, to improved physical
appearance and performance in school, athletics, or other activities of
interest.
Assist teen in planning care for chronic illness to minimize disruption of
activities with peers.
Provide opportunities for communication with adolescent in absence of
parents to allow asking of personal questions.
Daily hygiene and treatment with acne medication can reduce outbreak.Conclusions
Knowledge and consideration of a child’s developmental stage can contribute to
planning of age-appropriate care. Recognition that the illness of a child can impact
the child’s growth and development allows the nurse to anticipate developmental
delays or regressions and plan care accordingly. Additional key points:
Age-appropriate care and teaching can reduce injury and illness children
and adolescents may experience during the growth and development
process.
Developmental stage theories are not specific for an age, but include age
ranges that may overlap.
All levels of develop are important from physical to cognitive to
psychosocial.
Family interactions, or lack of, can impact growth and development.
Illness can cause reversal to a younger developmental stage for a brief period.
Nursing measures, including client and family teaching, must consider
the developmental stage the child is demonstrating.(^28) Pediatric Nursing Demystified
FINAL CHECKUP
- Ellis, age 13, is admitted after experiencing diarrhea for the past 4 days. He is
sullen and speaks only when his mother pushes him to answer questions. What
should the nurse keep in mind when assessing Ellis?
a. Ellis likely has a communication deficit due to loss of electrolytes.
b. Ellis would be more responsive to the nurse if his mother were absent.
c. Ellis’s behavior is not important because his chief complaint is diarrhea.
d. Ellis is an adolescent and may also be quiet and sullen when he is well.
?