Caregiving NC II cheat sheet

Infant age band: birth to 12 months; toddler band: 1-3 years. Care routines are grouped by these bands because feeding, sleep, and hygiene needs differ sharply.

Breast milk or formula is the sole nutrition source for the first 6 months; complementary feeding starts at 6 months while milk feeding continues to 12 months or beyond.

Normal newborn weight loss: up to 7-10% of birth weight in the first week, regained by day 10-14. Failure to regain signals need for referral.

Growth monitoring uses the WHO Child Growth Standards for 0-5 years; weight-for-age, length-for-age, and weight-for-length are plotted each well-baby visit.

Immunization schedule (Philippines EPI): BCG and Hepatitis B at birth; OPV, Pentavalent (DPT-HepB-Hib), and PCV at 6, 10, and 14 weeks; measles-containing vaccine at 9 months.

Safe sleep rule: infants sleep on the back, on a firm flat surface, without pillows, bolsters, or loose bedding; room-sharing without bed-sharing reduces SIDS risk.

Diaper hygiene sequence for infants: clean front to back, pat dry, apply barrier cream only if indicated, and change at each soiled diaper to prevent diaper dermatitis.

Dehydration red flags in infants: sunken fontanelle, fewer than 6 wet diapers per day, dry mucous membranes, lethargy, and no tears when crying - refer immediately.

Preschool age band: 3-5 years; school age: 6-12 years. Care shifts from full assistance to supervision with increasing self-care independence.

Daily nutrient reference for children: 3 meals plus 1-2 healthy snacks, with 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and 3 servings of milk or dairy equivalent per day.

Deworming for children 1-4 years is given every 6 months as part of the Philippine school and community health program.

Dental care rule: brush twice daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from age 3; first dental visit by first birthday or first tooth eruption.

Handwashing is the single most effective routine measure; wash with soap for at least 20 seconds before eating, after toileting, and after play.

Bathing and grooming: school-age children can bathe with supervision; check skin folds, scalp, and nails for lice, rashes, or injury during routine care.

Growth monitoring continues with BMI-for-age screening from age 5; a child below -2 SD is classified as wasted or stunted and needs nutrition referral.

Child care documentation includes intake/output, sleep, meals, medications, and incidents; report any change in behavior or appetite to the guardian and supervisor.

Piaget stages: sensorimotor (0-2 years), preoperational (2-7), concrete operational (7-11), formal operational (11+). Activities must match the child's current stage.

Erikson stages relevant to caregiving: trust vs mistrust (0-1), autonomy vs shame (1-3), initiative vs guilt (3-6), industry vs inferiority (6-12).

Play is the primary learning medium: solitary play (0-2), parallel play (2-3), associative play (3-4), cooperative play (4+).

Language milestones: babbling by 6 months, first words by 12-18 months, two-word phrases by 24 months, 3-word sentences by 36 months.

Creative expression uses open-ended materials (crayons, clay, blocks, water, sand) rather than templates; the process matters more than the product.

Social development is supported by consistent routines, turn-taking games, and naming feelings; praise specific behavior rather than the child's character.

Screen time guidance: no screen time before 18-24 months; 1 hour or less per day of high-quality content for ages 2-5, co-viewed with an adult.

Red flags for developmental delay: no babbling by 12 months, no words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, loss of any skill at any age - refer for assessment.

Gross motor sequence: head control (3 months), rolling (4-6), sitting unsupported (6-8), crawling (7-10), standing with support (9-11), walking (12-15), running (18-24).

Fine motor sequence: palmar grasp (4-5 months), pincer grasp (9-12), scribbling (12-18), stacking 2-3 blocks (18-24), copying a circle (3 years).

Tummy time: 2-3 sessions daily, starting with a few minutes and building to 15-30 minutes total per day by 3 months, always supervised.

Physical activity for children 3-5 years: at least 180 minutes per day of any intensity, including active play; school-age children need 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily.

Outdoor play supports vitamin D synthesis and bone development; 15-30 minutes of morning sunlight exposure is a common recommendation.

Motor skill practice uses age-appropriate equipment: soft balls for toddlers, balance beams and tricycles for preschoolers, jump ropes and balls for school-age children.

Screen use displaces physical activity; the caregiver sets a movement routine that includes stretching, walking, and free play each day.

Documentation of physical development uses height, weight, head circumference (under 3 years), and milestone checklists at each well-child visit.

Normal aging changes: decreased skin elasticity, reduced bone density, slower reaction time, reduced renal and hepatic clearance, and decreased thirst sensation.

Fall risk screening uses a simple tool such as the Timed Up and Go test; a time over 12 seconds indicates increased fall risk.

Pressure injury prevention: reposition every 2 hours, keep skin clean and dry, use pressure-relieving surfaces, and inspect bony prominences daily.

Hydration: older adults need about 1.5-2 liters of fluid daily unless contraindicated; thirst is an unreliable indicator in this age group.

Medication safety: polypharmacy (5 or more medications) increases adverse drug events; review medications with the prescriber and use a pill organizer.

Elder abuse warning signs: unexplained bruises, fear of a caregiver, sudden financial changes, and withdrawal; report to the supervisor and appropriate authority.

Dignity in personal care: explain each step before touching, provide privacy, allow the client to do as much self-care as possible, and address the client by preferred name.

Constipation prevention: adequate fluids, fiber, and daily mobility; report no bowel movement for 3 days or more.

Person-first language is the default: say 'a child with autism' rather than 'an autistic child'; describe the person before the condition.

Disability models: the medical model focuses on impairment; the social model focuses on barriers in the environment. Caregiving practice aligns with the social model.

Reasonable accommodation examples: ramps, large-print materials, sign language interpreters, extra time for tasks, and visual schedules.

Behavior is communication; a sudden change in behavior may signal pain, fear, overstimulation, or an unmet need. Assess before reacting.

Sensory sensitivities: reduce noise and bright light, warn before touch, and offer a calm-down space when the person shows distress.

Assistive devices must fit the individual and be checked daily: wheelchair brakes, walker tips, hearing aid batteries, and eyeglass cleanliness.

Seizure first aid: protect the head, turn onto the side, time the seizure, do not restrain or place objects in the mouth; call for help if it lasts over 5 minutes.

Consent and autonomy: obtain informed consent for care and respect refusal; document decisions and involve the family or guardian only when the person cannot decide.

Hand hygiene is the first line of infection control: wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Standard precautions apply to all clients: treat all blood and body fluids as infectious, use gloves for contact, and dispose of sharps in a puncture-proof container.

Childproofing checklist: cover electrical outlets, lock cabinets with cleaning products, install stair gates, secure furniture to the wall, and set water heater to 49 degrees Celsius or lower.

Food safety: keep hot food above 60 degrees Celsius and cold food below 5 degrees Celsius; refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Cleaning hierarchy: clean visible soil first, then disinfect high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, handles, toys, phones) with an approved disinfectant.

Ventilation and lighting: open windows daily, avoid smoking indoors, and maintain adequate lighting in hallways and bathrooms to reduce falls.

Waste segregation follows local rules: separate biodegradable, recyclable, and residual waste; sharps and infectious waste go into labeled containers.

Emergency numbers and the care plan must be posted in a visible place; the caregiver knows the address and nearest health facility.

DRSABCD sequence: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation. Follow this order in any unresponsive casualty.

Adult CPR: compressions at 100-120 per minute, depth 5-6 cm, ratio 30 compressions to 2 breaths; use an AED as soon as it is available.

Child CPR: compression depth about one-third of chest depth, 30:2 ratio for a single rescuer; infant CPR uses two fingers or two-thumb technique.

Choking: for a conscious adult or child, give 5 back blows then 5 abdominal thrusts; for an infant under 1 year, give 5 back blows then 5 chest thrusts, never abdominal thrusts.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth, elevate the limb if possible, and do not remove an object embedded in the wound.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 20 minutes, remove jewelry and clothing not stuck to the skin, cover with a clean non-stick dressing, and do not apply toothpaste or oil.

Anaphylaxis: give epinephrine auto-injector into the outer thigh if prescribed, call emergency services, and lay the person flat with legs elevated.

Documentation after an emergency: record time, what happened, actions taken, who was notified, and the client's response; report to the supervisor immediately.

Confidentiality: client information is shared only on a need-to-know basis; discuss care only in private settings and never on social media.

Scope of practice: perform only tasks within training and delegation; refer clinical decisions to the nurse, physician, or supervisor.

Informed consent: explain the procedure, risks, and alternatives in language the client understands before care is given.

Boundaries: do not accept gifts of significant value, do not lend or borrow money, and do not form personal relationships that compromise care.

Mandatory reporting: suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elder, or person with disability must be reported to the supervisor and the appropriate authority.

Cultural competence: ask about food, religious, and family preferences rather than assuming; document and honor reasonable requests.

Professional appearance and communication: clean uniform, identification badge, punctuality, and respectful language in all interactions.

Conflict of interest: do not promote products or services for personal gain and do not use the client's property or funds for personal use.

Work plan priority order: safety hazards first, then client care needs, then routine cleaning, then administrative tasks.

Cleaning sequence per room: dust high surfaces first, then wipe mid-level surfaces, then clean floors last so debris falls downward.

Laundry sorting: separate white, colored, and heavily soiled items; wash caregiving linens at the hottest temperature the fabric allows.

Time management tool: a daily task list with time blocks and a weekly schedule; batch similar tasks (laundry, meal prep) to reduce trips and effort.

Inventory control: keep a par level for supplies (gloves, soap, diapers, disinfectant) and reorder when stock falls below one week's use.

Ergonomics: lift with bent knees and a straight back, keep the load close to the body, and use assistive devices for heavy items to prevent back injury.

Documentation: record tasks completed, supplies used, and any incident in the logbook; hand over unfinished tasks at shift change.

Infection control in the home: separate cleaning cloths by area (kitchen, bathroom, client room), launder them after use, and store cleaning chemicals out of reach.