Variation in Normal
• Newborn: 36.8C axillary
• 1-3 years: 37.7C rectal
• 6-8 years: 37C oral
• 10 years: 37C oral
• Teen years: 37C oral
• °F to °C: Deduct 32, then multiply by 5, then divide by 9
• °C to °F: Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
Examining Chi...
• Newborn: 36.8C axillary
• 1-3 years: 37.7C rectal
• 6-8 years: 37C oral
• 10 years: 37C oral
• Teen years: 37C oral
• °F to °C: Deduct 32, then multiply by 5, then divide by 9
• °C to °F: Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32
Examining Children
• With children, always proceed from least invasive or uncomfortable
to most invasive. Head, neck, heart, lungs, and range of motion.
• Assess ears, mouth, abdomen, and genitals last.
Physical Assessment of Children
• General assessment: Interaction with family
• Skin assessment:
• Color, turgor, lesions; color reflects ethnicity, diet, disease, and
injury
• Pallor: Anemia, cyanosis (compromised cardiorespiratory state)
• Yellow skin and sclera: Liver dysfunction
• Petechial lesions: Infectious process or blood disorder
• Echymotic lesions: Blood disorder, injury
• Dehydration: Skin tents
Skin (Continued):
, • Rash: Determine if skin blanches or turns pale; petechial lesions do
not blanch
• Check hair, scalp, nail beds, palms of hands
Eyes:
• White children: Sclera is white
• Dark skinned children: Sclera can be slightly yellow with small black
marks.
• Conjunctivitis, styes, erythema, swelling, discharge
• Visual acuity
Lung assessment:
• Best to auscultate with child in sitting position
• Auscultate 5 lobes (posterior and anterior)
• Do early in assessment with infant
• Very slow respirations may mean lack of energy
• Alteration in depth: Hypercapnia or too deep associated with fever
• Hypopnea (to shallow) associate with central nervous system
depression
Cardiac assessment:
• Point of Maximal Impulse (PMI): Area of most intense pulsation and
points of apical impulse, or impulse corresponding to the apex of
the heart usually located in same area of chest.
• Apical impulse found lateral of the left midclavicular line and 4 th
intercostal space in children younger than 7 years.
Murmurs:
Attributed to turbulent blood flow within the vessels; assess for intensity,
location, quality, timing, and radiation.
Abdominal:
• To minimize sensation of tickling, palpate abdomen through a layer
of light clothing or place the child’s hand on top of the nurses’ hand
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller THEEXCELLENCELIBRARY. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $48.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
