Life Span Development Flashcards
(29 cards)
Infancy (chrono)
Birth to 1 yr
Toddler Phase (chrono)
12-36 mo
Preschool Age (chromo)
3-5 yr
School Age (chromo)
6-12 yr
Adolescence (chrono)
13-18 yr
Early Adulthood (chrono)
19-40 yr
Middle Adulthood (chrono)
41-60 yr
Late Adulthood (chromo)
61 yr & older
Infancy Physiological Characteristics
• 3.0–3.5 kg (6.6–7.7 lb) at birth
• Weight doubles by 6 months; triples by 12 months
• Head 25% of body weight
• Airway narrow; easily obstructed
• Nose and diaphragm used for breathing
• Antibodies passed from mother to child in pregnancy
• Antibodies also passed through breastfeeding
• Sleep patterns
– Begin to regulate after 2–4 months
– Then sleeps through night
• Extremities grow from a combination of growth plates and epiphyseal plates
• Fontanelles not fused at birth—still soft until 9–18 months
• Sunken fontanelles: indicate dehydration
• Bulging fontanelles: indicate increased pressure inside skull
Moro Reflex
Startle -– Throws arms out, spreads fingers, grabs with fingers and arms
Palmar Reflex
– Grasps objects placed in palm
Rooting Reflex
(hunger)– Turns toward side of head touched
Sucking Reflex
– Sucks when lips are stroked
Infancy Psychosocial Characteristics
- Bonding
- Trust vs. mistrust
- Scaffolding
- Temperament
Toddler Phase Physiological Characteristics
- Pulmonary system
- Nervous system
- Musculoskeletal system
- Immune system
- Teeth
Toddler Phase Psychosocial Characteristics
- Begins to understand cause and effect
- Highly curious and investigating
- Separation anxiety
- Begins to develop “magic thinking,” imagination, and ability to role play
Preschool Age Physiological and
Psychosocial Characteristics
• Physiological
– Body systems continue to develop
• Psychosocial
– Developing interactive and social skills
School Age
• Physiological – Loss of baby teeth • Psychosocial – Less general supervision – Developing decision-making skills – More awareness of self-esteem – Values opinions of peers (positive or negative)
Adolescence (13-18 years) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics
- Growth spurt
- Sexual maturity
- Strives for independence
- Concern about body image and peer pressure
- May be prone to self destructive behaviors
- Developing personal code of ethics
Early Adulthood (19–40 Years) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics
• Physiological – Lifelong habits formed – Reaches peak physical condition • Psychosocial – Job and family stress – Marriage, childbirth, child rearing – Accidents leading cause of death
Middle Adulthood (41-60 Years) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics
• Physiological – May need vision correction – Cancer, heart disease often develop – Weight control more difficult • Psychosocial – Empty-nest syndrome – Caring for elderly parents
Late Adulthood (61 Years & Older) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics
• Physiological – Body systems less efficient • Psychosocial – Living environment – Self-worth – Financial burdens – Death and dying
Chapter Review Life Stage
• Understanding basic physiological and psychosocial development for each age group will assist you in communicating with and assessing patients of various ages.
• Communicating with patients will depend on their stage of development: could be fear of strangers, separation anxiety,
embarrassment, denial, depression.
Chapter Review Life Stage
• Physiological differences between ages will affect your care (for example: differences in respiratory systems; effects
of pre-existing conditions).
• Infants and young children have less developed, smaller respiratory structures which can worsen respiratory conditions.