CPedN(C) - Pediatric Nursing study plan

Build a one-page comparison table of the top 10 acute pediatric conditions (bronchiolitis, otitis media, gastroenteritis, febrile seizures, asthma exacerbation, croup, appendicitis, DKA, sickle cell crisis, UTI) listing hallmark findings and first-line nursing actions

Explain the pathophysiology of dehydration in pediatric gastroenteritis and differentiate isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic dehydration by serum sodium and clinical signs

Calculate daily maintenance fluid requirements using the 4-2-1 rule and the Holliday-Segar method for three patient weights (5 kg, 12 kg, 25 kg) and verify each answer

Identify four pediatric-specific electrolyte derangements (hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia) and state two nursing assessments for each

Complete 30 practice questions on fluid, electrolyte, and acute illness content and log every missed item with the underlying concept

Diagram the differences between pediatric and adult respiratory anatomy (smaller airway diameter, compliant chest wall, higher metabolic rate) and explain how each difference raises respiratory failure risk

Compare asthma, bronchiolitis, and croup by onset, characteristic breath sounds, and medication management, and state one priority nursing intervention for each

Interpret pediatric oxygen delivery devices by achievable FiO2 range and select an appropriate device for a child with moderate respiratory distress

Outline the nursing assessment sequence for a child with suspected congenital heart defect, including murmur timing, cyanosis type, and oxygen saturation trends

Practice recognizing respiratory distress versus failure using five written case vignettes and justify the escalation decision for each

Perform and document a full head-to-toe pediatric assessment using a developmental approach for infant, toddler, school-age, and adolescent patients

Compile pediatric vital sign ranges by age group and identify which parameters require immediate escalation

Calculate 10 pediatric medication doses by weight (mg/kg) and verify each against a safe maximum dose, documenting any that exceed the limit

Describe the five rights of medication administration as applied to pediatric practice, including two-client verification for high-alert medications

Explain age-appropriate pain assessment tools (FLACC, Wong-Baker FACES, numeric rating) and select the correct tool for four described patients

Map Piaget, Erikson, and Freud stages to expected behaviors and nursing approaches for each pediatric age group from infancy through adolescence

Identify developmental red flags (motor, language, social) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and state the appropriate referral pathway

Demonstrate three family-centered communication techniques (active listening, open-ended questioning, teach-back) in written dialogue scenarios with a parent and a school-age child

Explain how family structure, culture, and health literacy influence care planning for two distinct family scenarios

Describe anticipatory guidance topics for a 2-month, 4-year, and 12-year well-child visit

Apply the pediatric assessment triangle (appearance, work of breathing, circulation) to five written emergency scenarios and rank each patient's acuity

List age-specific injury prevention counseling points for infants, toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents, including car seat, water, and poison safety

Sequence the nursing actions for pediatric choking, drowning, and anaphylaxis according to current basic and advanced life support priorities

Differentiate expected grief, separation anxiety, and regression from true psychopathology in hospitalized children using three case descriptions

Identify screening tools and nursing responses for adolescent depression, anxiety, and self-harm risk, including when to escalate

Explain informed consent and assent requirements for pediatric research and treatment, including emancipated minor and emergency exceptions

Apply the ethical principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice to three pediatric dilemmas (vaccine refusal, end-of-life care, mandatory reporting)

Describe the nurse's role in delegation, incident reporting, and advocacy when a family disagrees with a care plan

Outline the process for recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, including documentation standards

Identify leadership and priority-setting frameworks (Maslow, ABC, safety) used to answer prioritization questions and apply one to a four-patient assignment

Integrate content from the three highest-weight domains by reviewing all logged errors from weeks 1-2 and re-explaining each concept without notes

Complete a 50-question mixed practice set weighted toward acute illness, respiratory/cardiac, and fluid/electrolyte content and score at least 80 percent

Explain the nursing management of a child with diabetic ketoacidosis, including fluid resuscitation, insulin infusion, and monitoring for cerebral edema

Compare chronic illness management for asthma and sickle cell disease, including action plans, exacerbation triggers, and family education

Teach back the 4-2-1 fluid rule and one pediatric drug calculation to a study partner or recorded self-review without reference material

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions and record domain-level scores for each

Analyze every missed item from both exams and classify each error as knowledge gap, misread question, or prioritization error

Review the weakest two domains identified by practice exam scores and re-study the corresponding reference sheets

Recite key formulas, vital sign ranges, milestone ages, and emergency sequences from memory in a timed self-quiz

Build a final one-page summary sheet of the 20 highest-yield facts across all ten domains