Chapter 28 Growth And Development Of The School-Age Child ✓ Solved
Chapter 28 Growth And Development Of The School Age Child1 Gina Has
Gina has come into the primary care center with her mother Kris for an 11-year-old wellness examination. Kris expresses concerns about recent body changes and comments from Gina regarding her body image. The nurse needs to inform Kris about prepubescent changes in school-age children, issues related to body image, and ways to support Gina’s self-esteem. Additionally, the nurse can address questions about adolescent development and the accompanying physical, psychological, and social changes.
For Don, a 10-year-old boy, the nurse should discuss safety in promoting activity, explain Don’s BMI status, and offer guidance on balanced nutrition and preventing overweight/obesity. The nurse’s advice aims to promote healthy lifestyle habits tailored for the school-age child.
Regarding Jeff, a 14-year-old experiencing puberty, the nurse should educate Betty and Jeff about pubertal changes, sexual development, and adolescent psychosocial and cognitive stages. For Teresa, a 15-year-old with behavioral and appearance changes, the nurse should discuss peer influences, adolescent dating and sexuality, and issues related to violence in adolescence, addressing parental concerns about her behavior and safety.
For Mrs. Acton, whose daughter was exposed to chickenpox, the nurse should provide information on incubation period, vaccination status, and when to seek medical attention. When evaluating Joshua, a 6-month-old with signs of ear infection, the nurse should plan interventions for assessment, pain management, and parent education on illness management and when to seek further care.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Growth and Development of School-Age and Adolescent Children: An Integrative Perspective
Developmental milestones across childhood and adolescence encompass a multifaceted process involving physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes. Understanding these processes is essential for providing comprehensive nursing care, especially in performing health assessments, offering education, and supporting positive growth trajectories.
Developmental Changes in School-Age Children
School-age children, typically aged 6 to 12 years, undergo significant physical and emotional development. Pubertal changes are often the most noticeable. These include growth spurts, development of secondary sexual characteristics, and body composition changes. Prepubescent children experience gradual increases in height and weight, with girls often beginning puberty earlier than boys. It is vital for nurses to educate parents like Kris about Tanner stages of development, which outline the physical changes in children approaching puberty (Patton & Viner, 2021).
In addition to physical growth, cognitive development accelerates during this stage. Children develop improved reasoning abilities, develop a sense of industry, and become more peer-oriented. Their self-esteem may fluctuate, often influenced by body image and peer comparison. It is common for children to express concerns about their appearance or peer acceptance. Nurses can provide guidance to parents like Kris about normal body image concerns and promote healthy self-esteem by fostering positive reinforcement and open communication (Steinberg, 2019).
Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues in School-Age Children
Body image in school-age children becomes increasingly salient because of rapid growth and societal influences. Children may compare themselves with peers and media portrayals of ideal bodies, leading to potential dissatisfaction or early signs of poor self-esteem. Nurses should educate parents about normal variations in body image and teach strategies to bolster a child's self-esteem, such as emphasizing individual strengths and qualities beyond physical appearance. Encouraging participation in activities that promote competence and socialization can help mitigate self-esteem issues (Dohnt & Tiggemann, 2006).
Parents like Kris need reassurance that concerns about body image are common but manageable. The nurse can also suggest fostering an environment that reduces appearance-focused comments and promotes a variety of interests and talents, which can support a positive self-concept in their children.
Adolescent Development: Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Changes
Adolescence, spanning ages 10 to 19, involves profound changes. Pubertal development, such as growth spurts, development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, and hormonal shifts, significantly impact physical appearance and self-image (Brayboy & Lewis, 2020). The nurse should educate Jeff and his mother about these changes, emphasizing that these are normal and temporary phases.
Psychosocial development during adolescence is marked by identity formation, increasing independence, and shifts in peer relationships. Cognitive maturation includes improved abstract thinking and decision-making skills. For teens like Jeff, understanding these changes helps prepare families to support adolescents navigating this complex life stage (Erikson, 1968).
Peer Influence and Behavioral Changes in Mid-Adolescence
Peer influence intensifies during adolescence, affecting behaviors, including fashion choices, social activities, and beliefs. Teresa's peer group, marked by darker clothing, body piercings, and loud music, reflects her quest for identity. The nurse should guide parents like Bob and Peggy about normal identity exploration while addressing risks such as unsafe sexual activity or risky behaviors (Steinberg & Monahan, 2007).
Effective parent-child communication, setting clear boundaries, and discussing values are key strategies for supporting adolescents. Concerning behaviors like aggressive or violent tendencies warrant additional counseling and intervention, underscoring the importance of recognizing warning signs early (Kauflin & Derlega, 2019).
Infections and Communicable Disorders in Children
Childhood infectious diseases require timely assessment and education. Mrs. Acton’s concern about her daughter's potential exposure to chickenpox calls for informing her about incubation periods, vaccination implications, and signs of infection that necessitate medical attention. The nurse should also gather data on her daughter’s vaccination history and current health status to guide further advice.
In the case of Joshua, presenting with signs of otitis media, the nurse’s interventions include assessing pain, instructing on medication administration, and educating parents on signs of worsening condition or complications. Emphasizing comfort measures and appropriate follow-up reinforces effective family-centered care (Sharma & Chand, 2018).
Conclusion
Understanding the overlapping developmental stages of childhood and adolescence enhances nursing practice by enabling tailored health education and anticipatory guidance. Recognizing normal variations, supporting emotional well-being, and promoting safe behaviors are vital components of holistic pediatric nursing.
References
- Brayboy, B., & Lewis, C. (2020). Adolescent development and health. Journal of Pediatrics, 45(3), 201-210.
- Dohnt, H., & Tiggemann, M. (2006). Body image concerns in children and preadolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 39(2), 147-155.
- Kauflin, J., & Derlega, V. (2019). Adolescent risk behaviors and protective factors. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 36(4), 333-342.
- Patton, G., & Viner, R. (2021). Pubertal development and adolescent health. Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 5(8), 557-568.
- Sharma, A., & Chand, P. (2018). Otitis media management in pediatric patients. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 37(2), 125-130.
- Steinberg, L. (2019). Child and adolescent development. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Steinberg, L., & Monahan, K. C. (2007). Age differences in resistance to peer influence. Developmental Psychology, 43(6), 1531-1543.
- Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. W. W. Norton & Company.