The document provides information on age-specific competencies in caring for patients from neonates to older adults. It outlines characteristics and nursing implications for each age group. Key points include:
- For infants, talk to them before touching and allow the parent to hold them. Maintain safety and meet their needs for trust.
- Toddlers may view hospitalization as punishment; use simple explanations and involve parents.
- Preschoolers understand more than they can say; be truthful and allow questions about fears.
- Adolescents strive for independence; treat them as adults by explaining directly and maintaining privacy.
- Elderly patients may have declining abilities; promote mobility and consider needs related to senses.
3. San Diego
Neonates (0-1mo) & Infants (1mo-1yr)
Characteristics
Fear of strangers (begins 6-8 mos of age)
Communicate discomfort by crying,
facial expressions, body movement
Prefer to be held in familiar positions
Like established routines, verbal
repetition
Understand simple commands, respond
well to consistency
Are fearless, choke easily, accident
prone, require constant supervision
Need to consistently have needs met to
develop sense of trust (feeding,
changing)
Nursing Implications
Talk to baby before touching
Involve parents in procedure if
possible
Imitate how parent holds baby
Explain procedure to parents
beforehand
Remove unnecessary
equipment
Keep infant clothed as much as
possible
Do not leave infant unattended
Allow parent to hold infant while
waiting
Ask parents about immunization
record
R: 20-30 HR: 80-140
Systolic: 70-100
4. San Diego
Toddlers (1yr -3yr)
Characteristics
Views hospitalization as
punishment
Needs security objects
Curious, unaware of danger
Comprehension greater than
ability to verbalize
Short attention span
Frequently says “NO” trying
to demonstrating
independence
Can be cooperative if trust is
won
R: 20-30 HR: 80-130
Systolic:70-100
Nursing Implications
Reassure that treatment is not a
punishment
Simple explanations
Give one direction at time
Demonstrate equipment
Speak at eye level, maintain eye
contact
Remove unnecessary equipment
Use distraction techniques
Involve parents, allow to be present
during procedures
5. San Diego
Preschoolers (4yr -6yr)
Characteristics
Seek explanations “Why?”
By age 5 speaks in 8 word
sentences
Increased speech skills, attention
span and memory
Truth important
Fear bodily injury, separation,
death, punishment
Difficulty expressing needs
Privacy important
Accident prone
R: 20-30 HR: 80-120
Systolic: 80-110
Nursing Implications
Use simple explanation
Adapts to changes in
environment more easily than
toddler
Be truthful about pain,
discomfort
Encourage questions regarding
fears
Show caregiver location of
restrooms
Include parents in teaching
Plan procedure to minimize
waiting time
6. San Diego
School Age (7yr -12yr)
Characteristics
Developing greater sense
of self
Start to negotiate for
independence
Need to fit in with peers
Rules very important
Need respect for privacy
Fear mutilation, loss of
control
Nursing Implications
Allow child to exercise some
control
Allow to handle equipment as
learning tool (as appropriate)
Respect privacy
Include parent in teaching
Reassure child it is okay to
cry
Guide in making choices that
are healthy and safe
R: 20-30 HR: 70-110
Systolic: 80-120
7. San Diego
Adolescents (13yr -20yr)
Characteristics
Transition stage (developing
identity) & stress filled
Continually striving for
independence and control
Appreciate being treated as
adults
Self-conscious about
appearance (body image)
Need respect of privacy
Risk takers, strong sense of
immortality
Rapid growth, awkwardness
on gross motor skills,
development of occupational
identity
Nursing Implications
Encourage questions
Treat more as adult, avoid
authoritarian approach
Allow maintenance of control
Talk directly to them, not through
parents, and offer explanations
Maintain privacy
Establish trust to gain cooperation
R: 12-20 HR: 55-105
Systolic: 110-120
8. San Diego
Young Adult (21yr -39yr)
Characteristics
Sets career goals, chooses
lifestyle
May start own family, building
connections
Developing responsible
attitude
Need to establish healthy
lifestyle
Nutrition needed for
maintenance not growth
Mental abilities peak during
20s
Nursing Implications
Respect personal values, be
honest & supportive
Consider significant others, impact
on job
Encourage to pursue healthy
lifestyle
Teach & encourage testicular &
breast self-exam
Maintain privacy
Encourage creating Advance
Directive
R: 12-20 HR: 55-105
Systolic: <120
9. San Diego
Middle Adult (40yr -64yr)
Characteristics
May develop chronic health
problems
Decrease in bone and muscle
mass, short term memory, loss of
skeletal height and calcium, skin
elasticity, dry skin, wrinkles
Women experience menopause
“Sandwich generation”
Use life experiences to learn, solve
problems
Future oriented, has specific goals
Nursing Implications
Encourage regular check-ups
& preventative exams
Assist person to recognize risk
factors related to health
Focus on their strengths
Address worries about children
& aging parents
Treat with respect
Provide explanations and
educate
10. San Diego
Older Adult (65yr -79yr)
Characteristics
Continue to be active
learner/thinker
Takes on new roles, balances
independence v. dependence
Most elderly are not depressed
May become isolated
Some decline in physical
abilities, senses, memory skills
(short term memory, attention
span shortens)
Nursing Implications
Promote mobility & ADL
Consider needs related to diminished
sight, hearing (may need to read
information to patient, face person
when talking to them)
Allow reminiscing about the past
Promote physical, mental, social
activities to prevent isolation
Allow more time for processing new
information
Educate about safety measures
11. San Diego
Adult 80 & Older
Characteristics
Decline in physical ability,
increased risk for chronic
illness
Decline in memory &
learning skills
May need assistance in
ADL
May have diminished
appetite, fluid intake
Nursing Implications
Encourage as much mobility
& ADL as possible
Encourage healthy eating &
adequate fluid intake, monitor
bowel function
Avoid treating older adult like
a child
Respect & support end of lie
decisions
14. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
1. When performing any procedure on an infant, it is important to:
A. Move as quickly as possible
B. Talk to the baby while performing the procedure
C. Avoid eye contact
D. Allow mother to hold infant while waiting
2. It is important to always speak to the infant before a touch:
A. True
B. False
3. To help the newborn feel secure, caregivers can:
A. Hold the infant only when he cries
B. Imitate how the parent holds the newborn
C. Encourage friends and neighbors to be involved in care
15. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
4. As a healthcare provider, one of the most important parts of the infant's history is:
A. Favorite meals
B. Likes and dislikes
C. Favorite toys
D. Immunization record
5. The toddler who is having blood drawn:
A. Will usually want a parent present
B. Will be concerned with privacy
C. Will require a detailed explanation of the procedure
6. Use of the word "No" by a toddler indicates:
A. He has limited vocabulary
B. He is showing his independence
C. He is not friendly towards strangers
D. He hasn't learned how to say "Yes"
16. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
7. Preschoolers have increased speech skills, attention span and memory. This
helps them to:
A. Manipulate their environment
B. Sleep better without their parents
C. Change their routines more easily
D. Understand what is happening to them
8. School-aged children have a need to:
A. Gain independence from their friends
B. Fit in with peers
C. Be separated from siblings in a stressful situation
9. When doing procedures with children, it is important to let them:
A. Know they can cry
B. Become separated from their parents
C. Know your first name
D. Leave them alone to gain control of their emotions
17. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
10. During the adolescent period, it is normal to be concerned with:
A. Current events
B. Childhood memories
C. The same things as adults
D. Body image
11. It is important for staff working with adolescents to:
A. Assume the patients will ask if they have any questions
B. Talk to the parents since an adolescent is unable to really understand fully
C. Talk directly to the adolescent and offer explanations
D. Tell them as little as possible so they will not be frightened
12. The hospitalized adolescent patient :
A. Is not affected by the hospital stay
B. Continually strives for independence and control
C. Is not concerned with assisting with plan of care, and encourages parents advice
D. Is too immature to understand or care about the changes occurring in their bodies
18. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
13. The adolescent population is usually characterized by:
A. Rapid growth
B. Awkwardness on gross motor skills
C. Beginning of development of occupational identity
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
14. For the young adult, it is important to involve the individual and significant other
in the plan of care.
A. True
B. False
15. Which statement about young adults is NOT true:
A. Nutritional needs are for growth, not maintenance
B. Seeks closeness with others & may start own family
C. Makes lifelong decisions
D. Needs to be encouraged to have regular checkups
19. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
16.Young adults like others to make decisions for them and to control
their lives.
A. True
B. False
17. Which of the following physical change(s) occur in middle
adulthood?
A. Loss of skin elasticity, dry skin and an increase in wrinkles
B. Decrease in muscle strength and mass
C. Decrease in bone mass
D. Loss of skeletal height and calcium
E. All of the above
18. During middle adulthood, short-term memory or recall increases.
A. True
B. False
20. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
19. We should be patient with the middle-aged adult who is part of the “sandwich
generation” (caring for aging parents and their own children).
A. True
B. False
20. Which of the following intervention(s) should we do with middle-aged adults?
A. Treat them with respect and explain everything to them
B. Encourage as much dependency as possible
C. Make decisions for them instead of allowing them choices
D. All of the above
21. The middle-aged adult is future-oriented and has specific goals.
A. True
B. False
21. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
22. Which of the following statement(s) is true, related to the elderly?
Select all that apply.
A. They do not like to talk about the past
B. They may have difficulty hearing and/or seeing
C. They tend to be depressed
D. They need more time to process new information
23. When giving an elderly person instructions, it is important to:
A. Shout in the ear
B. Treat the person as you would a person of any age
C. Face the person so he/she can see your lips
D. Wait until a family member is present
22. San Diego
Age Specific Competency Post Test
24. Identify the appropriate change for visual impairment in the
elderly.
A. No change in lighting is needed
B. With glasses, no changes in lighting needed
C. Staff may need to read information to the patient
D. The family is responsible for the accommodations
25. When educating a person over 65, the following changes in
cognitive functioning need to be considered:
A. Short-term memory may be impaired
B. More time is needed to process information
C. Attention span shortens
D. All of the above