CPN flashcards

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

Infant weight doubling

Birth weight typically doubles by 5 to 6 months of age and triples by 12 months; failure to achieve this pattern warrants nutritional and medical evaluation.

Anterior fontanel closure

The diamond-shaped soft spot at the top of the skull normally closes between 12 and 18 months; early closure or bulging may indicate endocrine, bone, or pressure problems.

Moro reflex disappearance

The startle reflex, in which the infant symmetrically extends then flexes the arms, normally disappears by 3 to 4 months; persistence beyond 6 months suggests neurologic delay.

Social smile milestone

A responsive social smile appears by about 2 months of age; absence of a social smile by 3 months is a developmental red flag requiring further assessment.

Erikson toddler stage

Erikson's autonomy versus shame and doubt stage spans roughly 1 to 3 years and is supported by offering limited choices and allowing self-feeding and toileting independence.

Piaget preoperational stage

Piaget's preoperational stage spans about 2 to 7 years and is marked by egocentric, magical thinking and symbolic play, so explanations should be concrete and literal.

School-age growth velocity

Children aged 6 to 12 years normally grow about 5 cm (2 inches) and gain 2 to 3 kg per year; velocity below 4 cm per year warrants evaluation.

MMR vaccine timing

The first measles-mumps-rubella dose is given at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years; doses given before 12 months do not count toward the routine series.

Pediatric assessment triangle

A rapid first-impression tool using appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin; abnormality in any component prompts immediate life support.

4-2-1 maintenance fluid rule

Hourly maintenance fluid equals 4 mL/kg for the first 10 kg, 2 mL/kg for the next 10 kg, and 1 mL/kg for each kilogram above 20 kg.

FLACC pain scale

The FLACC scale scores Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability from 0 to 2 each for a total of 0 to 10 and is used for children aged 2 months to 7 years.

Infant blood pressure cuff size

The bladder width should cover about 40 percent of upper arm circumference and the length 80 to 100 percent; an undersized cuff falsely elevates the reading.

Normal infant urine output

Infants normally produce 1 to 2 mL/kg per hour of urine; output below 1 mL/kg per hour suggests dehydration or impaired renal perfusion.

Head circumference measurement

Measure with a tape at the widest point above the eyebrows and around the occiput; measure routinely until 36 months and plot values on a growth chart.

Stranger anxiety onset

Stranger anxiety typically emerges at 6 to 9 months and peaks near 12 months; it is a normal developmental phase rather than a sign of insecure attachment.

Wong-Baker FACES scale

A self-report pain scale using six drawn faces scored 0 to 10, appropriate for children about 3 years and older who understand the concept of hurt.

Two-rescuer child CPR ratio

For infant and child CPR with two rescuers, deliver 15 compressions to 2 breaths; a single rescuer uses 30 to 2 at 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Infant compression depth

Compress the infant chest at least one third of the anteroposterior diameter, about 4 cm (1.5 inches); for children compress about 5 cm (2 inches).

First defibrillation energy

The initial pediatric defibrillation dose is 2 J/kg; subsequent shocks use 4 J/kg, and doses up to 10 J/kg may be used for refractory ventricular fibrillation.

Anaphylaxis epinephrine dose

Give intramuscular epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg of the 1 mg/mL concentration, maximum 0.5 mg, into the anterolateral thigh and repeat every 5 to 15 minutes as needed.

Croup dexamethasone dose

Dexamethasone 0.15 to 0.6 mg/kg orally or intramuscularly as a single dose reduces airway edema; nebulized racemic epinephrine is added for stridor at rest.

Pediatric DKA fluid bolus

In pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis, give a 10 mL/kg isotonic saline bolus then start insulin at 0.05 to 0.1 units/kg per hour; rapid rehydration risks cerebral edema.

Infant choking maneuvers

For a choking infant, deliver 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts while supporting the head; abdominal thrusts are avoided in infants younger than 1 year.

Hypoglycemia threshold in children

Treat blood glucose below 60 mg/dL in children or below 40 mg/dL in neonates with 2 to 5 mL/kg of D10W intravenously, then recheck the glucose in 15 to 30 minutes.

Pediatric assent

Assent is the child's affirmative agreement to care or research, typically sought from about age 7; it complements but never replaces parental permission.

Mandatory abuse reporting

Nurses must report suspected child abuse or neglect to child protective services based on reasonable suspicion; proof is not required and good-faith reporting is protected.

Teach-back method

The learner explains or demonstrates the information in their own words; incorrect or incomplete recall identifies gaps and triggers reteaching before discharge.

Five rights of delegation

Right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction and communication, and right supervision and evaluation determine whether a task may be delegated to unlicensed personnel.

Emancipated minor

A minor legally treated as an adult through marriage, military service, or court declaration may consent to their own medical treatment without a guardian.

Family-centered care concepts

Dignity and respect, information sharing, participation, and collaboration form the core of family-centered care, which treats the family as a constant in the child's life.

VAERS reporting

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System accepts reports of any clinically significant adverse event after vaccination, even when causality is uncertain; most reporting is voluntary.

Adolescent confidentiality limits

Many states allow minors to consent to sexually transmitted infection testing, contraception, and mental health care; confidentiality limits should be explained to teen and parent.