Normal temp for peds patient
- less than 37.7C (99.9F)
- report immediately if young infant with temp >38.0C
- older infant/children a fever is 38.5C
- when to report: infant under age 2-4 months with fever >38.0, and a fever in a child
with an underlying condition
Normal HR for peds patients
- higher in infants, slows as you grow
- normal is "100ish"
- children under ~12 should always have a pulse greater than 60/min (if they
dont=CODE)
Normal respiration rate for peds patients
- higher in infants, slows as you grow
- normal = 20-30ish in infants/toddlers
- 20ish in preschool and school age
,Normal blood pressure for peds patients
- normal = 60-80/40-50 in infants
- 100ish/50-70 in children
Hygiene for peds patients
- maintain healthy skin: turn every 2 hrs
- bathing: infants/children need wiped down at least every day
- hair care: at least 1-2 times a week
- diaper changing:at least every 3 hours, with feeds/temps
- oral hygiene
Feeding issues
- feeding is work for an infant: we know their baseline by feeds (look at face to see
issues sucking, refusing nipple, sweating, increased resp rate (bad sign)
- refusal to eat is common in children (toddlers): control issue, allow choices
- make eating interesting
Feeding an infant
- do NOT warm in microwave (can break down the good stuff and cause hot spots),
use warm water instead
- normal feeding schedule 3-4 hours
, - remember to burp
- DO NOT ALLOW feeding to extend 20-30 minutes (burning more calories than
ingesting)
- DO NOT PROP BOTTLE
Improving absorption of feeds
- use pacifier during alternative feeds: nonnutritive sucking improves digestion
- quiet, calm environment
- consistent feeding techniques by caregivers/family members
Alternative feeding techniques: parenteral/TPN
- administer through central line
- use in line filter
- check blood glucose
- use aseptic technique
- monitor VS
- monitor for infection
- monitor for electrolyte imbalances
- keep system closed at all times (avoid air embolism)
- avoid administering medications through TPN line