Clinical Skills Relevant for Children Adolescents and Families

Question: Discuss about theClinical Skills Relevant for Children Adolescents and Families. Answer: Discuss the significant differences in pediatric and adult respiratory anatomy and physiology that would increase Courtneys risk of respiratory compromise. For newborns up to the age of six months, babies are considered to be obligatory nose breathers, they can, therefore, have distress in their respiratory system if their nose is blocked tea any time unlike for adults. Babies at this age also have a large tongue and this possesses the great risk of obstruction, which is very important when positioning an infant for CPR. Children at the age of six months have a smaller airway, which is more interior. This makes swelling to occur in many pediatric respiratory disorders. Children have a higher chance of having respiratory arrest than cardiac arrest. Due to these and many other differences between the pediatric and adult respiratory system Courtney could be at risk of a respiratory compromise, which could be bronchitis, asthma or a sore throat. Therefore, it is important for parents to consider position infants in the right positions in order to avoid difficulties in breathing What are your priorities in terms of assessment and treatment? Courtney is only eight months old therefore considered an infant. CPR guidelines cannot be administered on her. The major cause towards a respiratory arrest on infants is a circulatory or respiratory failure. This is very different from adults often suffer from which is cardiac arrest. The best outcomes, therefore, will rely on the effect of basic life support, an early CPR administration, a rapid access to the pediatric advanced life support or an effective post-emergency care for the infant. Therefore, since Courtney is an infant, CPR guidelines should not apply but rather a basic life support to be applied. How would you educate this family as the nurse looking after an infant with Bronchiolitis? When taking care of infants with bronchitis, consider environmental factors, for instance, reducing the levels of noise, and lowering lighting. It is important to focus on the promotion of rest as well as comfort measures like analgesia and positioning. It is also equally important for parents to know the safe sleeping practices and SIDS recommendations and know how much the home environment differs from the hospital environment which is highly monitored. If the infant is still tolerating oral intake, trial smaller and more frequent is recommended on nutrition. In case there are increased coughing, signs of respiratory distress or a visible sign of tiring during feeding, parents should contact the doctor to discuss on the possible cause and mode of treatment. For cases where children cannot tolerate larger amounts of food comfort feeds (small feeds) often of 10 to 30 ml are recommended. Medication for infants is never the same as that that is administered to adults when sick. Medication for children is dependent on specific variables for example; weight, age as well as what they have been diagnosed with. Therefore, medications of infants must be tailored to one specific patient. There are common medication rights towards administration of drugs, which are; right date, right medication, right person, and the right time. For example, an infant may be unable to swallow oral tablets alternatively; a liquid solution is recommended which is easy to swallow with reduced risks of choking in infants.