Pediatric Nursing Growth and Development

Pediatric Nursing Growth and Development Growth - increase physical size - result of cell multiplication - quantitative measure - measured by weight & height Weight - most sensitive indicator of growth 2x 6 months 3x 1 year 4x 2 years 6x 5 years 7x 7 years 10x 10 years Height 1 inch/mo 1-6 months ½ inch/mo 7-10 months 1.5 x 1 year 2x 4 years 3x 12-13 years Development - gradual increase of skill - qualitative measure - can be measured by: observing child perform specific tasks, by recording parents description - Use of Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST II) Maturation - Increase competence and adaptability Mental Age - refers to typical intelligence level found for people at given chronological age EQ - “Emotional quotient” - recognizing feelings of your own and others - manage emotions can be learned Cognitive Development - ability to acquire knowledge from previous experiences - measured by intelligence test (DDST II) Principle of Growth and Development 1. Continuous process 2. Occurs in orderly sequence 3. Different children pass on predictable changes at different rate 4. All body systems do not develop at the same time