Nursing Care of Infants

Chapter 30


Nursing Care of Infants



Growth and Development



Developmental Timetable





Four to Five Months



Physical



Motor



Sensory



Socialization and vocalization




Six to Seven Months



Physical



Motor



Sensory



Socialization and vocalization





Ten to Twelve Months



Physical



Motor



Sensory



Socialization and vocalization




Health Promotion of Infants




Nutrition during Infancy



Nutrition in Relation to Growth and Development



Growth



Development





Guidelines for Infant Nutrition



Breast milk or iron-fortified commercial formula recommended for first year of life; American Academy of Pediatrics states iron-fortified commercial formula is acceptable but not preferred alternative to breastfeeding


Breast milk: most complete diet for first 6 month; may require supplementation



Whole cow’s milk: should not be introduced until after 1 year of age; difficult to digest; inadequate in iron, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients


Solid foods



Fruit juices: should be offered from cup early to prevent dental caries; can be substituted for milk for one feeding each day


Method for introducing solid foods



Weaning




Immunizations



Types of immunizations that provide active immunity; see Chapter 3, Integral Aspects of Nursing Care, Infection, Review of Physiology (Immunity), for Figure 3-2 A, B, and C (Recommended Immunization Schedules—United States 2011)



1. Hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B)



2. Hepatitis A vaccine (Hep A)



3. Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP)



4. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)



5. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib)



6. Rotavirus vaccine (RV)



7. Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)



8. Chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine



9. Measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine (MMR); live, attenuated vaccine



Factors influencing administration of immunizations



1. Benefit from being protected by immunization outweighs risk from contracting disease


2. Maternal antibodies acquired in utero from placenta provide passive immunity for first several weeks of life; antibodies acquired from breastfeeding mother after birth provide infant with immunity against most viral, bacterial, and fungal infections during infancy


3. Contraindications




Injury Prevention during Infancy



Accidents are a leading cause of death



Teaching prevention



1. Birth to 4 months



a. Sudden infant death: place on back; avoid soft, moldable bedding (e.g., pillows, quilts)


b. Suffocation



c. Falls



d. Burns



e. Motor vehicles



f. Environment: keep sharp, jagged-edged objects away from infant’s vicinity


2. Four to 7 months



a. Aspiration



b. Suffocation: see birth to 4 months


c. Falls: restrain in high chair; keep crib rails raised to full height


d. Poisoning



e. Burns: see birth to 4 months


f. Motor vehicles: see birth to 4 months


g. Environment: offer toys that are smooth and rounded, made of wood or plastic; do not allow long, pointed objects as toys


3. Eight to 12 months



a. Aspiration: see 4 to 7 months


b. Suffocation/drowning



c. Falls: fence stairways at top and bottom if there is access to either end


d. Poisoning



e. Burns



f. Motor vehicles



g. Environment




Hospitalization of Infants




Data Base



Reactions to parental separation begin in later months (see Chapter 31, Nursing Care of Toddlers, Hospitalization of Toddlers); reactions to procedures begin later (see Chapter 32, Nursing Care of Preschoolers, Hospitalization of Preschoolers)


Pain, although felt, is not localized; requires appropriate analgesia and sedation for painful procedures




Health Problems That Begin in Infancy and May Persist through Childhood (Nursing care includes care of the infant and child)



Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)



Data Base



Fetal/newborn responses to alcohol consumption during pregnancy


Range of lifelong disorders; fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) most severe form of FASD


Incidence: approximately 0.5 to 2 per 1000 live births


Prevention



Clinical findings



Therapeutic interventions




Nursing Care of Alcohol-Exposed Infants




Planning/Implementation




1. Monitor vital signs


2. Observe for signs of withdrawal



3. Maintain protective environment



4. Institute comfort measures



5. Provide fluid and nutrients



6. Support parents





Chromosomal Aberrations



General Nursing Care of Children with Chromosomal Aberrations






Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)



Data Base



Types



Clinical findings








Gastrointestinal Malformations



Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate



Data Base



Incomplete fusion of embryonic structures surrounding primitive oral cavity (cleft lip)


Failure of primary and secondary palatine plates to fuse (cleft palate) (Figure 30-1: Variations in clefts of lip and palate at birth)




Etiology unknown



Occurs with other congenital anomalies


Classification



Related difficulties



Therapeutic intervention




Nursing Care of Children with Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate




Planning/Implementation




1. Preoperative care



2. Postoperative nursing care for cleft lip



3. Postoperative nursing care for cleft palate



4. See Chapter 29, Foundations of Child Health Nursing, Nursing Care Related to Meeting the Needs of the Family of a Child with Special Needs




Nasopharyngeal and Tracheoesophageal Anomalies



Data Base



Failure of esophagus to develop continuous passage to stomach; failure of trachea and esophagus to develop into separate structures


Risk factors: low birth weight; about 50% associated with other anomalies (e.g., vertebral anomalies, imperforate anus, radial and renal dysplasia, limb anomalies, cardiac malformations)


Tracheopharyngeal anomalies



Other associated anomalies



Clinical findings



Therapeutic intervention: surgical repair; one procedure or several, depending on health status and severity of defect



Nursing Care of Children with Nasopharyngeal and Tracheoesophageal Anomalies




Planning/Implementation




1. Preoperative nursing care



2. Postoperative nursing care





Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (HPS)



Data Base



Thickened circular muscle of pylorus; occurs within first weeks of life



Incidence



Clinical findings



Therapeutic intervention: surgical repair



Nursing Care of Children with Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis






Intestinal Obstruction



Data Base



Congenital life-threatening obstruction of intestinal tract



Clinical findings


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Mar 17, 2017 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Nursing Care of Infants

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