Life Span Development

Question 1

Infancy (chrono)

Answer 1

Birth to 1 yr

Question 2

Toddler Phase (chrono)

Answer 2

12-36 mo

Question 3

Preschool Age (chromo)

Answer 3

3-5 yr

Question 4

School Age (chromo)

Answer 4

6-12 yr

Question 5

Adolescence (chrono)

Answer 5

13-18 yr

Question 6

Early Adulthood (chrono)

Answer 6

19-40 yr

Question 7

Middle Adulthood (chrono)

Answer 7

41-60 yr

Question 8

Late Adulthood (chromo)

Answer 8

61 yr & older

Question 9

Infancy Physiological Characteristics

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Moro Reflex

Answer 10

Startle -– Throws arms out, spreads fingers, grabs with fingers and arms

Question 11

Palmar Reflex

Answer 11

– Grasps objects placed in palm

Question 12

Rooting Reflex

Answer 12

(hunger)– Turns toward side of head touched

Question 13

Sucking Reflex

Answer 13

– Sucks when lips are stroked

Question 14

Infancy Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 14

• Bonding
• Trust vs. mistrust
• Scaffolding
• Temperament

Question 15

Toddler Phase Physiological Characteristics

Answer 15

• Pulmonary system
• Nervous system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Immune system
• Teeth

Question 16

Toddler Phase Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 16

• Begins to understand cause and effect
• Highly curious and investigating
• Separation anxiety
• Begins to develop “magic thinking,” imagination, and ability to role play

Question 17

Preschool Age Physiological and

Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 17

• Physiological
– Body systems continue to develop
• Psychosocial
– Developing interactive and social skills

Question 18

School Age

Answer 18

• 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)

Question 19

Adolescence (13-18 years) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

Early Adulthood (19–40 Years) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 20

• Physiological
– Lifelong habits formed
– Reaches peak physical condition
• Psychosocial
– Job and family stress
– Marriage, childbirth, child rearing
– Accidents leading cause of death

Question 21

Middle Adulthood (41-60 Years) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 21

• Physiological
– May need vision correction
– Cancer, heart disease often develop
– Weight control more difficult
• Psychosocial
– Empty-nest syndrome
– Caring for elderly parents

Question 22

Late Adulthood (61 Years & Older) Physiological and Psychosocial Characteristics

Answer 22

• Physiological
– Body systems less efficient
• Psychosocial
– Living environment
– Self-worth
– Financial burdens
– Death and dying

Question 23

Chapter Review Life Stage

Answer 23

• 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.

Question 24

Chapter Review Life Stage

Answer 24

• 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.

Question 25

Life Stage Development - Remember

Answer 25

* Infants present massive bursts of anatomical and psychosocial development in the first year of life. * Although preschoolers begin to develop independence and reason, in many ways they still resemble the psychosocial development of toddlers.

Question 26

Life Stage Development - Remember

Answer 26

* School-age children often are independent and logical, but that may crumble with illness or injury. * Adolescents are reaching physiological maturity, but they often face difficult psychosocial challenges.

Question 27

Life Stage Development - Remember

Answer 27

• Early, middle, and late adults vary greatly in terms of physiological development and conditioning; they also face psychosocial challenges unique to adulthood.

Question 28

Questions to Consider • How do I approach a patient most effectively based on developmental characteristics? • Does the age of my patient pose any assessment or care challenges based on physiologic development?

Answer 28

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Question 29

• You are called for abdominal pain in a 16- year-old girl. She is with friends at the park. She seems hesitant to answer any of your questions. What characteristic of adolescent development is most likely the cause of this? How could you overcome it?

Answer 29

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