Assessment Description physical assessments among school-aged children
The needs of the pediatric patient differ depending on age, as do the stages of development and the expected assessment findings for each stage. In a 500-750-word paper, examine the needs of a school-aged child between the ages of 5 and 12 years old and discuss the following:
- Compare the physical assessments among school-aged children. Describe how you would modify assessment techniques to match the age and developmental stage of the child.
- Choose a child between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Identify the age of the child and describe the typical developmental stages of children that age.
- Applying developmental theory based on Erickson, Piaget, or Kohlberg, explain how you would developmentally assess the child. Include how you would offer explanations during the assessment, strategies you would use to gain cooperation, and potential findings from the assessment.
You are required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
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Developmental Assessment and the School Aged Child
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Developmental Assessment and the School Aged Child
Introduction
School-aged children are in the developmental stage between pre-school and adolescence. They are children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Physical examination of these people may help provide good insight into their growth and developmental milestones (CDC, 2022). Physical examination is done differently from one age group to another. Physical assessment is often performed either when a child is sick or during normal immunizations or clinical appointments. Therefore, healthcare providers need to understand the importance of physical assessment in school-aged children (CDC, 2022). In that regard, this paper describes physical assessment among school-aged children, typical developmental stages, and a developmental theory and its application.
Comparison of Physical Assessments Among School-Aged Children
Physical assessment of school-aged children is critical because it provides useful information about their growth and development. Assessment is the first nursing activity outlined in the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation) (Ruggiero & Ruggiero, 2021). Therefore, physical assessment of these school-aged children is a critical nursing practice to assist in the planning and delivering patient-centered care. physical assessment is often designed based on the child’s age. For instance, 5-year-old children will need their parents around since they cannot express themselves well. On the other hand, a 12-year-old child can express him/herself and may not need parents around (Ruggiero & Ruggiero, 2021). Additionally, some of them might perceive having parents around as a privacy issue.
Typical Developmental Stages
Davis is an 8-year-old boy in his school-age developmental stage. Davis is going through different developmental stages. During this stage, a child is more graceful with movement abilities. At this point, the child can chase others, and skip. Furthermore, Davis can dress well and groom herself completely (Ruggiero & Ruggiero, 2021). The 8-year-old Davis can use language and his imagination and memory are heightened. Davis has no problem being away from his parents and seeks recognition and acceptance from friends. He also shows the rapid development of mental skills. He can differentiate between right and left (CDC, 2022). He is also able to learn and describe experiences, as well as talk about her thoughts and feeling.
Jean Piaget’s Stages of Development
Jean Piaget suggested that humans undergo four developmental stages including the sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, and formal operational stage (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). Based on the theory, Davis is in the concrete operational stage. Children between the ages of 7 and 11 fall within the concrete operational stage. During this developmental stage, children begin to understand that their thoughts and feelings are unique and may not be shared by others. During the concrete operational stage, school-aged children can use imagination, language, and memory. When conducting a developmental assessment, the first step involves inquiring with the parent about the Childs overall physical and mental health (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). Furthermore, it is critical to explain to the parent and the child about the assessment through language and imagination. Since the child understands himself well, he can be asked open questions about his thought and feelings.
Conclusion
School-aged is a period between pre-school and adolescence. Children in this developmental stage fall between ages 5 and 12. Physical and developmental assessment is important to understand the growth and development of these children. Jean Piaget’s theory of children’s development provides four main developmental stages such as sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, and formal operational stage.
References
CDC. (2022). CDC’s Developmental Milestones. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Oogarah-Pratap, B., Bholoa, A., & Ramma, Y. (2020). Stage theory of cognitive development—Jean Piaget. In Science Education in Theory and Practice (pp. 133-148). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43620-9_10
Ruggiero, K., & Ruggiero, M. S. (2021). Fast facts handbook for pediatric primary care: A guide for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Springer Publishing Company.