PNC(C) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Bright Futures periodicity schedule

Recommended well-child visit ages from newborn through adolescence, used to time screening, immunizations, and anticipatory guidance at each preventive care encounter.

Lead screening threshold

A blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter or higher in a child triggers case management, repeat testing, and environmental investigation of the home.

Birth weight milestones

Infant birth weight doubles by 4 to 6 months and triples by 12 months, a key marker of adequate growth and nutrition during the first year.

Parallel play

A toddler play pattern in which children play side by side with similar toys but do not interact or share, typical between ages 2 and 3 years.

Capillary refill

Time for color to return after blanching a nail bed; greater than 2 seconds suggests poor perfusion and early shock in a pediatric patient.

FLACC pain scale

Behavioral pain tool scoring face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability from 0 to 10, used for infants and nonverbal children who cannot self-report.

Holliday-Segar method

Maintenance fluid calculation giving 100 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, 50 mL/kg for the next 10 kg, and 20 mL/kg for each kilogram above 20.

Safe dose range

Recommended minimum and maximum milligrams per kilogram per dose for a drug, used to verify that an ordered pediatric dose is therapeutic and not toxic.

Croup presentation

Barking cough, hoarse voice, and inspiratory stridor from subglottic edema, treated with dexamethasone and nebulized epinephrine when moderate or severe.

Digoxin hold parameters

Withhold digoxin and notify the provider when the apical heart rate is below 90 in infants or below 70 in older children.

Bulging fontanel

A tense, bulging anterior fontanel in an infant suggests increased intracranial pressure from meningitis, hemorrhage, or hydrocephalus and requires urgent evaluation.

Ortolani maneuver

Hip examination in which the infant's flexed thighs are abducted and lifted forward; a palpable clunk indicates a dislocated hip reducing into the socket.

Pyloric stenosis signs

Projectile nonbilious vomiting at 3 to 6 weeks, visible peristaltic waves, and a palpable olive-shaped mass, with hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis.

Intussusception triad

Colicky abdominal pain, currant jelly stools, and a sausage-shaped abdominal mass; an air or contrast enema is both diagnostic and therapeutic.

Diabetic ketoacidosis care

Treat with isotonic fluid resuscitation, insulin infusion after fluids, hourly glucose and electrolyte monitoring, and potassium replacement once urine output is confirmed.

Acute chest syndrome

Fever, chest pain, hypoxia, and a new pulmonary infiltrate in sickle cell disease; it is the leading cause of death and needs urgent transfusion and antibiotics.

Neutropenic precautions

Measures used when absolute neutrophil count is below 500, including hand hygiene, avoiding fresh flowers and sick visitors, and immediate fever reporting.

Anaphylaxis first action

Give intramuscular epinephrine into the outer thigh immediately, then support airway, breathing, and circulation; antihistamines are adjuncts and never delay epinephrine.

Autism early warning signs

No babbling by 12 months, no pointing by 14 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, or loss of language or social skills at any age.

Refeeding syndrome risk

Rapid reintroduction of nutrition in a malnourished patient can cause dangerous shifts of phosphate, potassium, and magnesium, requiring slow advancement and electrolyte monitoring.

Pediatric early warning score

Age-specific scoring of respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and mental status that triggers escalating clinical review when abnormal.

Mandatory reporting duty

Nurses must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the designated protective agency, documenting objective findings and following institutional policy.

Moro reflex

Startle response to sudden head extension with symmetric arm abduction and then adduction; it is present at birth and disappears by 3 to 4 months.

Apical pulse counting

Auscultate the heart at the apex for one full minute before giving cardiac medications such as digoxin, documenting the rate and rhythm.

Kernig sign

With the child supine and hip flexed, pain or resistance when the knee is extended suggests meningeal irritation from meningitis or subarachnoid bleeding.

Oral rehydration solution

Balanced glucose and electrolyte fluid given in small frequent amounts, 50 mL/kg over 4 hours for mild dehydration, to replace losses without intravenous therapy.

Iron administration teaching

Give iron with vitamin C to enhance absorption, avoid milk and antacids, expect dark stools, and use a straw or syringe to protect tooth enamel.

PHQ-9 adolescent screening

Validated nine-item depression screening tool; a positive result requires direct assessment of suicidal ideation and a safety plan.

Two patient identifiers

Verify identity using two independent identifiers such as name and date of birth, never the room number, before medication administration or procedures.

Kangaroo care

Skin-to-skin contact between a stable newborn and parent that supports thermoregulation, breastfeeding, and bonding while reducing infant stress and crying.

Separation anxiety peak

Normal developmental fear of being apart from caregivers that peaks between 8 and 18 months and influences how toddlers respond to hospitalization.

Fontanel assessment

The anterior fontanel is soft and flat normally, closes by 12 to 18 months, and feels sunken with dehydration or bulging with increased intracranial pressure.