Chapter 23, Transitions, Conception through Young Adult Study Guide
Summer 2025
Study Guide
This study guide is designed to help you review and consolidate your understanding of human
development from conception through young adulthood. It covers key physiological, cognitive,
and psychosocial milestones, as well as common health considerations and the role of the nurse
at each stage.
I. Prenatal Development
Stages: Pre-embryonic (conception to 3rd week): cell layer differentiation (endoderm,
mesoderm, ectoderm).
Embryonic (4th to 8th week): all basic organs established; high vulnerability to
congenital anomalies.
Fetal (9th week to birth): continued growth of body organs and systems.
Vulnerability: Understanding why the embryonic stage is most vulnerable.
II. Neonate (Birth to 28 Days)
Physical Characteristics: Presence of reflexes (Moro, stepping, grasp, sucking, etc.).
Temperature regulation.
Sensory responses.
Elimination patterns.
Behavioral states (crying, quiet alert).
Health: Inherited immunity (maternal immunoglobulins).
Importance of breastfeeding for immunity.
Common difficulties: birth-related issues, congenital abnormalities, respiratory distress
(especially in premature/C-section neonates).
III. Infant (1 Month to 1 Year)
Physiologic Development: Brain growth.
Temperature stabilization.
Motor skill development.
Eye focus and fixation.
Cardiovascular changes (heart weight, HR, BP).
Teething (deciduous teeth).
Weight gain (triples by 1 year).
Psychosocial Development: Freud: Oral stage (immediate gratification).
Erikson: Trust vs. Mistrust.
Havighurst: Developmental tasks (taking food, walking, talking).
Special Considerations: Attachment and bonding (distinction between the two).
Play.
Temperament types (easy, slow to warm, difficult).
Health issues: colic, failure to thrive, accidental injuries, SIDS, child maltreatment.
Role of the Nurse: Promoting health through teaching family/caregivers (safety,
nutrition, hygiene, growth/development, illness prevention) and immunizations.
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, Chapter 23, Transitions, Conception through Young Adult Study Guide
Summer 2025
IV. Toddler (1 to 3 Years)
Physiologic Development: Rapid brain, bone, and muscle growth.
Fine motor skills (picking up small objects).
Gross motor skills (walking, running, climbing, tricycle).
Self-feeding skills.
Weight gain (quadruples birth weight).
Bladder control.
Drawing skills.
Cognitive Development (Piaget):Sensorimotor (last two stages).
Object permanence.
Following commands, anticipating events.
Self-perception.
Biologic sex identity.
Language development (short sentences).
Psychosocial Development: Freud: Anal stage (toilet training focus).
Erikson: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (negativism, regression, separation anxiety).
Havighurst: Tasks (elimination control, sex differences, concepts, language, right/wrong).
Role of the Nurse: Promoting health, primarily through teaching caregivers (safety,
nutrition, hygiene, illness prevention), encouraging independence, and setting limits.
Highest risk for accidents.
V. Preschooler (3 to 6 Years)
Physiologic Development: Head size nearing adult.
Leaner, more coordinated body.
Motor abilities (jumping, skipping, throwing, printing).
Full set of deciduous teeth.
Average weight.
Cognitive Development: Decreased egocentrism, increased socialization.
Play linked to real-life.
Curiosity, improved reasoning, constant questions.
Elaborate language.
Psychosocial Development: Freud: Phallic stage (genital focus).
Erikson: Initiative vs. Guilt (conscience development).
Havighurst: Tasks (sex differences/modesty, social/physical reality in language, readiness
to read, right/wrong).
Kohlberg: Preconventional moral reasoning (obeying rules for rewards/punishment).
Role of the Nurse: Identifying obesity risk, teaching health consequences, explaining
procedures in simple terms, encouraging expression of feelings, involving caregivers in
care.
VI. School-Aged Child (6 to 12 Years)
Physiologic Development: Brain nearing adult size.
Motor abilities (script writing).
"Digital natives" with computer skills.
Dormant sexual organs until late in period.
Permanent teeth (except 2nd/3rd molars).
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Summer 2025
Study Guide
This study guide is designed to help you review and consolidate your understanding of human
development from conception through young adulthood. It covers key physiological, cognitive,
and psychosocial milestones, as well as common health considerations and the role of the nurse
at each stage.
I. Prenatal Development
Stages: Pre-embryonic (conception to 3rd week): cell layer differentiation (endoderm,
mesoderm, ectoderm).
Embryonic (4th to 8th week): all basic organs established; high vulnerability to
congenital anomalies.
Fetal (9th week to birth): continued growth of body organs and systems.
Vulnerability: Understanding why the embryonic stage is most vulnerable.
II. Neonate (Birth to 28 Days)
Physical Characteristics: Presence of reflexes (Moro, stepping, grasp, sucking, etc.).
Temperature regulation.
Sensory responses.
Elimination patterns.
Behavioral states (crying, quiet alert).
Health: Inherited immunity (maternal immunoglobulins).
Importance of breastfeeding for immunity.
Common difficulties: birth-related issues, congenital abnormalities, respiratory distress
(especially in premature/C-section neonates).
III. Infant (1 Month to 1 Year)
Physiologic Development: Brain growth.
Temperature stabilization.
Motor skill development.
Eye focus and fixation.
Cardiovascular changes (heart weight, HR, BP).
Teething (deciduous teeth).
Weight gain (triples by 1 year).
Psychosocial Development: Freud: Oral stage (immediate gratification).
Erikson: Trust vs. Mistrust.
Havighurst: Developmental tasks (taking food, walking, talking).
Special Considerations: Attachment and bonding (distinction between the two).
Play.
Temperament types (easy, slow to warm, difficult).
Health issues: colic, failure to thrive, accidental injuries, SIDS, child maltreatment.
Role of the Nurse: Promoting health through teaching family/caregivers (safety,
nutrition, hygiene, growth/development, illness prevention) and immunizations.
1
, Chapter 23, Transitions, Conception through Young Adult Study Guide
Summer 2025
IV. Toddler (1 to 3 Years)
Physiologic Development: Rapid brain, bone, and muscle growth.
Fine motor skills (picking up small objects).
Gross motor skills (walking, running, climbing, tricycle).
Self-feeding skills.
Weight gain (quadruples birth weight).
Bladder control.
Drawing skills.
Cognitive Development (Piaget):Sensorimotor (last two stages).
Object permanence.
Following commands, anticipating events.
Self-perception.
Biologic sex identity.
Language development (short sentences).
Psychosocial Development: Freud: Anal stage (toilet training focus).
Erikson: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (negativism, regression, separation anxiety).
Havighurst: Tasks (elimination control, sex differences, concepts, language, right/wrong).
Role of the Nurse: Promoting health, primarily through teaching caregivers (safety,
nutrition, hygiene, illness prevention), encouraging independence, and setting limits.
Highest risk for accidents.
V. Preschooler (3 to 6 Years)
Physiologic Development: Head size nearing adult.
Leaner, more coordinated body.
Motor abilities (jumping, skipping, throwing, printing).
Full set of deciduous teeth.
Average weight.
Cognitive Development: Decreased egocentrism, increased socialization.
Play linked to real-life.
Curiosity, improved reasoning, constant questions.
Elaborate language.
Psychosocial Development: Freud: Phallic stage (genital focus).
Erikson: Initiative vs. Guilt (conscience development).
Havighurst: Tasks (sex differences/modesty, social/physical reality in language, readiness
to read, right/wrong).
Kohlberg: Preconventional moral reasoning (obeying rules for rewards/punishment).
Role of the Nurse: Identifying obesity risk, teaching health consequences, explaining
procedures in simple terms, encouraging expression of feelings, involving caregivers in
care.
VI. School-Aged Child (6 to 12 Years)
Physiologic Development: Brain nearing adult size.
Motor abilities (script writing).
"Digital natives" with computer skills.
Dormant sexual organs until late in period.
Permanent teeth (except 2nd/3rd molars).
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