Behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and tic
disorder, as well as disorders such as school phobia, recurrent abdominal
pain (RAP), conversion reaction (hysteria), depression, and schizophrenia
may be noted.
Risky behaviors may be noted due to peer pressure (i.e., drugs).Nursing Implications
Instruct client and family on importance of seat belt use and use of car
seat until age or weight limit is reached.
Educate and encourage parents to maintain health promotion activities:
current immunizations and immunization records, regular checkup, and
dental examinations.
Instruct parents in proper treatment of home, siblings, and cautions to
other child contacts to eradicate lice to prevent reinfection, and to monitor
for signs of reinfestation.
Monitor for signs of infection and instruct parents on importance of full
cycle of antibiotics to fully cure infection.
Minimize the stress of hospitalization and plan measures to detect and
modify home or community stressors that may aggravate behavior
disorders.
Evaluate child’s adjustment to school or other changes in home or envi-
ronment and plan or refer child and family for treatment to disorder;
monitor for medication side effects.
Provide child and parent teaching on strategies to address peer pressure
and avoid risky behavior.Preteen (Tweens)
Age range: 10 to 12 years
Adolescence with changes related to puberty generally occur from age
10 to 12 (early) to 18 years.
Girls may experience menstruation.
Characteristics demonstrated in the preteen period are a blend of late
childhood and early teen: The child is betweenstages and is moving
into a phase of seeking increased autonomy and independence while still
needing parental approval and support.
Teen behaviors may be demonstrated at one moment with highly
dependent childhood behaviors displayed in the next.
High-risk behaviors may be demonstrated by a pediatric client in this
stage in an attempt to show that he or she is “not a child.”
Preteens may act without full understanding of the consequences.5(^24) Pediatric Nursing Demystified