Life Span Development Chapter 9. Objectives Define Infancy Discuss Toddlers and Pre-school age children Define School-Age children Discuss Adolescence.

Life Span Development

Chapter 9

Objectives

• Define Infancy• Discuss Toddlers and Pre-school age

children• Define School-Age children• Discuss Adolescence• Define Early Adulthood• Discuss Middle Adulthood• Define Late Adulthood

Infancy

Neonate – A child from birth to one month of age

Vital SignsAt Birth:• Respiratory: 40-60

breaths per minute• Tidal Volume: 6-8

mL/kg• Heart Rate:

140-160/minute• Systolic BP: 70 mmHg

By one year;Respiratory: 20-30/minuteTidal Volume: 10-15 mL/kgHeart Rate: about

120/minuteSystolic BP: 90 mmHg

Physiological Changes

Physical Structure;• Head is 25% of weight

(neonate)• Weight drops during first 2

weeks but is regained• Infants require breast milk or

formula, followed by soft foods and then to solid food after primary teeth have arrived

Pulmonary System;• Airways of infants are

shorter, narrower, less stable, and more easily obstructed

• Primarily nose breathers to 4 weeks

• Lung tissue is fragile and prone to trauma

• Accessory muscles are immature, the chest wall is rigid


Immune System;• Neonate’s arises from

antibodies received through the placenta

• Passive immunity is retained through the first 6 months or as long as breast feeding continues

• Childhood immunizations normally begin after birth

Nervous System;• Infants have reflexes, or

instantaneous and involuntary movements, that result from a stimulus

• Well-flexed extremities move equally when stimulated


Skeletal System;• Fontanelles are soft spots on the skull that allow the

head to compress in the birth canal during delivery and allow for the growth of the brain during infancy

• Fontanelles should not be pressed but will be depressed if child is dehydrated

• Bones grow throughout infancy, so EMT’s should know what activities are normally present at various stages of infancy

Psychosocial Changes

• Most infants will protest when separated from their care givers

• If infant does not seem upset from the separation, the EMT should consider underlying causes

• Infants communicate through crying• Some crying can be avoided if the parent is allowed

to hold the infant during assessment• At end of infancy, a favorite toy may calm a child

during assessment, as long as the toy cannot cause an airway obstruction

• A calm voice during assessment will help calm both child and parent

Toddlers and Pre-school Age

Toddlers: between 1 to 3 years of age

Pre-schooler: 3 – 6

Vital Signs:• Heart & Respiratory

rates tend to decrease as child ages

• Systolic BP: increases as child ages


Physical Structure:• Bones continue to

grow• They have their

primary teeth by 6• Muscle mass

increases, but weight gain slows down


Pulmonary System;• Terminal airways

continue to branch• Alveoli continue to grow

in number

Immune System;• Passive immunity from

mother is lost• Active immunity to

common pathogens develops

Nervous System;• Brain is the fastest

growing part of the body

• Fine motor skills begin to develop

Make certain to recognize what activities toddlers and preschoolers are capable of performing


• Language takes place of crying as communication• Separation anxiety begins at 18 months• At age 5, preschoolers can say name and address,

recall stories, and tell stories• Children can play simple games and follow basic

rules• Begin to develop friendships outside the immediate

family• EMT’s should communicate with the child on a level

they understand by choosing phrases carefully and demonstrating equipment

School-Age Children

Between 6-12 years old

Vital Signs;• Heart Rate:

70-110/minute• Respiratory rate: 20-

30/minute• Systolic BP: 80-120

mmHg


• Bones increase indensity and grow in size

• Primary teeth are replaced with permanent teeth

• Brain functions increase

• Some children struggle with nocturnal enuresis (wet the bed)


• Develop relationships outside the home• Participate in social activities• Capable of fundamental reasoning and

problem-solving• Develop a self-concept, self-esteem, and

morals• Understand pain, illness, death, and loss• Identify EMT’s, firefighters, and police officers

as people who can help

Adolescence

12 – 18 years of age

Vital Signs;• Heart Rate: 55-

105/minute• Respiratory Rate:

12-20/minute• Systolic BP: 100-

120 mmHg


• Generally experience growth spurt beginning with enlarged feet and hands, followed by extremities, followed by chest and trunk

• Go through puberty, during which sexual organs mature


• Experience changes that cause family conflicts, mostly revolving around the adolescent and their parents

• Become more argumentative and aware of the shortcomings of others

• May participate in risky or self-destructive behaviors

• Want to be treated as an adult, but parent’s consent is required for medical treatment


• Want privacy and may disclose more information when parents are not present

• Develop their identity• Increase in self-consciousness and concern

about body image• Antisocial behavior peaking around 8th or 9th

grade• Increased interest in opposite sex and may

participate in unprotected sexual activity

Early Adulthood

20-40 years of age

Vital Signs;• Heart Rate: 70/minute• Respiratory Rate: 16-

20/minute• Average BP: 120/80

mmHg


• Peak physical condition occurs between 19-26 years of age

• After peak condition, physical condition begins to slow down

• Adults gain weight, store fat, and experience decreased muscle tone

• Adults’ spinal disks begin to settle• Adults develop lifelong habits during

this period


• Take on more responsibility

• Leave parents home

• Develop romantic relationships, some of which lead to marriage

• Childbirth is common

• More capable of dealing with stress than when younger

Middle Adulthood

41 – 60 years of age

Vital Signs;

Avg. Heart Rate: 70/minute

Avg. Respiratory Rate: 16-20/minute

Avg. BP: 120/80 mmHg


• Adults become more susceptible to chronic illness and disease

• Cardiovascular health becomes a concern• Cardiac output decreases• Cholesterol levels increase• Weight is gained• Vision changes may require corrective lenses• Hearing may decrease• Women go through menopause, which is the

end of menstruation and fertility


• May perceive problems as challenges rather than threats

• May help younger generation• May question their own accomplishments• May set new goals for remainder of life• May delay seeking help for health issues• May be burdened by financial commitments• May experience empty-nest syndrome• May take care of grown children and/or elderly

parents• May become grandparents

Late Adulthood

61 years and older

Vital Signs;

Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, and BP depend on physical and health status

Underlying diseases, poor physical conditioning, and medications can alter vital signs


• Maximum life span is 120 years for humans

• Life expectancy is the average years of life remaining based on an individual’s year of birth

• Cardiovascular system becomes less efficient, putting more strain on myocardium– Blood vessels thicken– Functional blood volume decreases


Respiratory System is weakened;

• Chest wall and bone structure weaken, and elasticity of the diaphragm is diminished

• Diffusion of gases through the alveoli is diminished

Nervous system undergoes changes;

• Brain gets smaller and neurons are lost

• Sleep cycle may be disrupted

• Reaction time to stimuli is increased

• Senses may become dulled


Endocrine, reproductive, and renal systems are affected

• Metabolism and insulin production decrease• Reproductive organs atrophy• Elimination of urine decreases• Permanent teeth are often lost

EMT’s must be aware of underlying health conditions in addition to any emergency situation


• Wisdom is attributed to age in some cultures• Some adults in this stage are cared for by

family, and some are isolated and alone• Leaving a long-established home is often

required• Difficult decisions often center on financial

burdens and requirements• Independence must often be given up• The loss of loved ones andfriends must be

acknowledged

Questions ????

Life Span Development Chapter 9. Objectives Define Infancy Discuss Toddlers and Pre-school age children Define School-Age children Discuss Adolescence.

Documents

mmhg slide

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late adulthood slide

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infancy fontanelles

infancy neonate

nervous system brain