Assessment Description
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.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Attachments:https://halo.gcu.edu/resource/66df3af4-41d7-4ff8-b312-f0e139dced95
Physical Assessments Among School-Aged Children
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Physical Assessments Among School-Aged Children
Introduction
School-going children are those between 5 and 12 years. They are in the developmental stage between pre-school and adolescent ages. How physical examination is done may differ from one age group or developmental stage to another (Ball et al., 2017). Physical assessment is performed for various reasons, including when the child is sick when the child is brought for a medical checkup, or during usual clinic and immunization. Regardless of the reason, health care providers need to understand children’s needs based on their age and developmental stages (Ball et al., 2017). It is the best way to understand the most appropriate needs and develop a proper plan of care for the child. This paper looks into physical assessment among school-going children.
Physical Assessments Among School-Aged Children
Child physical assessment involves obtaining essential data about their growth and development. Assessment is an important nursing practice that helps in planning and delivering patient-centered care. Physical assessment is designed to suit the child’s age and needs (CDC, 2022). For example, a 5-year-old child will need the parent around because they cannot express themselves. However, a 12-year-old child might be able to express him/herself, hence, might think having a parent around is a limitation (CDC, 2022). Additionally, a 12-year-old child may need privacy due to body changes while a 5-year-old child might not mind privacy.
Typical Developmental Stages
Jane is an 8-year-old girl in her school-age developmental stage. She is undergoing various developmental milestones. For example, the child is more graceful with movement abilities. The child can jump, skip, and chase others (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). Additionally, the child can dress and groom herself completely. The child can use language and her imagination and memory are heightened. Children of this age can show more independence from parents and family, want to be liked and accepted by friends, and show rapid development of mental skills (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). She can learn better ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings. The child can also tell the difference between right and left.
Jean Piaget’s Stages of Development
According to Jean Piaget’s theory of development, Jane is in the concrete operational stage. Children in this developmental stage are between the ages of 7 and 11 years. They are increasingly aware of external events (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). They start to realize their own thoughts and feelings are unique and may not be shared by others. Children are able to use language, imagination, and memory. When carrying out a developmental assessment, the first step involves asking the parent about her overall physical and mental health. It would also be appropriate to explain the assessment by the use of language and imagination (Oogarah-Pratap et al., 2020). The child can be asked open questions because she can realize her own thoughts and feelings, which are unique to herself.
Conclusion
School-age children undergo various developmental stages. They are children between 5 and 12 years. Physical and developmental assessment is important to gauge how well the student is growing. Children’s assessments may differ based on their ages. Jean Piaget’s theory of children’s development provides four main developmental stages. They include sensorimotor, preoperational (Toddlerhood (18-24 months) through age 7), concrete operational (ages 7 to 11), formal operational (adolescence through adulthood). The identified child is 8 years old, hence, in the concrete operational.
References
Ball, J., Bindler, R. M. G., Cowen, K. J., & Shaw, M. R. (2017). Principles of pediatric nursing: Caring for children. Pearson.
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