Nursing Tips: Pediatrics
Check out these easy-to-remember nursing tips, tricks and hacks. Includes fun mnemonics that make recall a breeze.
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Scabies in Children
April 21, 2022
A child with scabies is likely to exhibit white lines in between fingers, toes, or skin folds. The whole family should be examined and treated!
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Osteogenesis in Children
April 11, 2022
A child with Osteogenesis Imperfecta may exhibit a blue color of the sclera. Be sure to report this finding to the provider for further evaluation.
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Meningocele and Myelomeningocele in Children
March 31, 2022
A child with meningocele or myelomeningocele is at risk for injury due to the exposed spinal cord. Cover the sac with sterile, saline-moistened, non-adherent dressing. Place infant prone with the hips flexed.
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Meningitis in Children
March 10, 2022
A child with meningitis is likely to have a fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, nuchal (neck) rigidity, photophobia, and + Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs.
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Sick Cell Anemia and Vaso-occlusive Crisis
February 21, 2022
A child with Sickle Cell Anemia experiencing vaso-occlusive crisis should be treated with scheduled opioid analgesia (non-opioid analgesia will not be sufficient!).
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Meckel's Diverticulum
February 14, 2022
A child with Meckel's Diverticulum is likely to exhibit painless rectal bleeding and stool with the consistency and appearance of "currant jelly."
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Infective Endocarditis in Children
January 31, 2022
A child with infective endocarditis will require IV antibiotics via PICC line for 2 - 6 weeks, and may require a valve repair or replacement.
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Hemophilia in Children: Signs and Treatment
January 17, 2022
A child with Hemophilia A is deficient in Factor VIII. In Hemophilia B the deficiency is with Factor IX. Treatment of these conditions will include replacement of the missing factor, desmopressin, and aminocaproic acid.
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Growth Hormone Deficiency
January 03, 2022
A child with Growth Hormone Deficiency would have an average birth weight/length, but show delayed growth through childhood.
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Intracranial Pressure (ICP); Nursing Care
December 13, 2021
A child with a head injury is at risk for elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Nursing care to decrease ICP includes reducing hypercapnia by hyperventilating the patient, avoiding oral suctioning, keeping the HOB at 30 degrees, and keeping the head in a neutral/midline position.
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Chickenpox (Varicella)
November 22, 2021
A child with Chickenpox (Varicella) is contagious until all lesions have crusted over. Educate families to keep them at home and away from others until this time.
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ADHD in Children: Treatment and Nursing Care
November 12, 2021
A child with ADHD may be treated with CNS stimulants such as amphetamine mixtures or methylphenidate.
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Spina Bifida Occulta
October 25, 2021
A child who presents with an abnormal tuft of hair, a dimple, or a birthmark on the spine should be evaluated for spina bifida occulta, a form of spina bifida. Report these findings to the provider.
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Absence Seizures: Signs and Symptoms
October 18, 2021
A child who appears to be frequently "day dreaming" or often exhibits blank staring, eye fluttering, lip smacking, or picking at clothes should be evaluated for absence seizures.
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Acute Glomerulonephritis: Signs and Symptoms
October 11, 2021
A child demonstrating oliguria, cola-colored urine, and signs/symptoms of hypervolemia following a recent streptococcal infection (strep throat) should be evaluated for Acute Glomerulonephritis.
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Key Symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta
September 23, 2021
KEY symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta: elevated BP and bounding pulses in the arms, decreased BP and pulses in the legs.
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Key Symptoms of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus
September 21, 2021
KEY symptoms of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus: machine-hum murmur, bounding pulses, and wide pulse pressure.
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Signs and Symptoms of Autism
September 15, 2021
Key signs/symptoms of Autism: Lack of eye contact Repetitive motions/actions Delayed speech and language skills Strict adherence to routines Unusual eating or sleeping habits Digestive problems.
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Immunizations in first 6 months
September 06, 2021
IMMUNIZATIONS IN FIRST 6 MONTHS Birth = "B" Hep B 2 Months = "B. Dr. HIP" Hep B, DTAP, RV, Hib, IPV, PCV 4 months = "Dr. HIP" DTAP, RV, Hib, IPV, PCV 6 months = "B. Dr. HIP" Hep B (6-12 months), DTAP, RV, Hib, IPV (3rd dose: 6-18 months), PCV
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Parallel Play in Children
August 30, 2021
In toddlers, parallel play is expected. Parallel play means that children play independently NEXT to other children.
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Severe Dehydration in Children
August 18, 2021
A child who is crying without producing tears should be evaluated for severe dehydration.
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Injections for infants
August 09, 2021
For intramuscular injections under 1 year old, use vastus lateralis muscle!
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Giving Medication to Children
July 14, 2021
Educate families that when giving medication to children, they must use a calibrated device
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Early Signs of Increased ICP in Infants
June 30, 2021
Early signs of increased ICP in infants: irritability, high-pitched cry, poor feeding, “setting-sun” phenomenon, bulging fontanels, separation of cranial sutures.
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Crib Safety
June 09, 2021
Crib safety: Infants on back to sleep, nothing in crib, and width of crib slats
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Key Beliefs of Preschoolers
April 09, 2021
2 Key beliefs of preschoolers: (1) Magical thinking: thoughts can cause events to occur, and (2) Animism: inanimate objects are alive.
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Infant weight gain
March 15, 2021
Infants should DOUBLE their birthweight by 6 months, and TRIPLE their birthweight by 1 year.
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Indications of Bleeding After a Tonsillectomy
March 10, 2021
After a tonsillectomy, monitor for frequent swallowing or clearing of the throat. This can indicate bleeding at the incision site!
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Tooth Eruption
February 24, 2021
Tooth eruption typically begins around 6 months of age. You can calculate the child's estimated age by the number of teeth they have!
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
February 10, 2021
Risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
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Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
February 08, 2021
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart defect where the fetal ductus arteriosus fails to close.
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Fontanelle Closures
January 18, 2021
A child's posterior fontanelle closes first, then the anterior fontanelle closes.
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Pediatric Pain Scales
January 13, 2021
When assessing a child's pain, be sure to use an age-appropriate pain scale.
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Signs of Physical Abuse
January 06, 2021
Signs of physical abuse. Always report ANY suspicion of abuse!
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Signs of Child Neglect
September 09, 2020
Signs of child neglect: poor hygiene, inappropriate dress (for weather), malnourishment, withdrawal, school absences.
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Major Risk Factor for Rheumatic Fever
May 12, 2019
Major risk factor for rheumatic fever: untreated or partially treated upper respiratory infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS).
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What to Do if You Suspect Epiglottitis
May 05, 2019
If you suspect that a patient has epiglottitis, DO NOT take a throat culture or place a tongue blade in the patient's mouth!
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Major Risk Factor for Reye's Syndrome
April 23, 2019
Major risk factor for Reye's syndrome:
Use of aspirin to treat fever associated with a viral infection.
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Signs of abuse in children
March 14, 2019
Signs of abuse in children: bruising in unusual locations (bruising on arms/legs expected!), bruising in different stages of healing, forearm spiral fractures.
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Choking hazard foods
January 09, 2019
The following foods pose a choking hazard for small children: popcorn, raisins, peanuts, grapes, raw carrots, hotdogs, celery, peanut butter, candy, tough meat.
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