2. Wrinkles?
Already?

3. Neonates (0-1mo) & Infants (1mo-1yr)
Characteristics
Fear of strangers (begins 6-8 mos of age)
Communicate discomfort by crying, facial expressions, body movement
Prefer to be held in familiar positions
Like established routines, verbal repetition
Understand simple commands, respond well to consistency
Are fearless, choke easily, accident prone, require constant supervision
Need to consistently have needs met to develop sense of trust (feeding, changing)
Nursing Implications
Talk to baby before touching
Involve parents in procedure if possible
Imitate how parent holds baby
Explain procedure to parents beforehand
Remove unnecessary equipment
Keep infant clothed as much as possible
Do not leave infant unattended
Allow parent to hold infant while waiting
Ask parents about immunization record
R: HR:
Systolic:

4. Toddlers (1yr -3yr) Characteristics
Views hospitalization as punishment
Needs security objects
Curious, unaware of danger
Comprehension greater than ability to verbalize
Short attention span
Frequently says “NO” trying to demonstrating independence
Can be cooperative if trust is won
R: HR: Systolic:70-100
Nursing Implications
Reassure that treatment is not a punishment
Simple explanations
Give one direction at time
Demonstrate equipment
Speak at eye level, maintain eye contact
Remove unnecessary equipment
Use distraction techniques
Involve parents, allow to be present during procedures

5. Preschoolers (4yr -6yr) Characteristics Seek explanations “Why?”
By age 5 speaks in 8 word sentences
Increased speech skills, attention span and memory
Truth important
Fear bodily injury, separation, death, punishment
Difficulty expressing needs
Privacy important
Accident prone
R: HR:
Systolic:
Nursing Implications
Use simple explanation
Adapts to changes in environment more easily than toddler
Be truthful about pain, discomfort
Encourage questions regarding fears
Show caregiver location of restrooms
Include parents in teaching
Plan procedure to minimize waiting time

6. School Age (7yr -12yr) Developing greater sense of self
Characteristics
Developing greater sense of self
Start to negotiate for independence
Need to fit in with peers
Rules very important
Need respect for privacy
Fear mutilation, loss of control
Nursing Implications
Allow child to exercise some control
Allow to handle equipment as learning tool (as appropriate)
Respect privacy
Include parent in teaching
Reassure child it is okay to cry
Guide in making choices that are healthy and safe
R: HR:
Systolic:

7. Adolescents (13yr -20yr) Characteristics
Transition stage (developing identity) & stress filled
Continually striving for independence and control
Appreciate being treated as adults
Self-conscious about appearance (body image)
Need respect of privacy
Risk takers, strong sense of immortality
Rapid growth, awkwardness on gross motor skills, development of occupational identity
Nursing Implications
Encourage questions
Treat more as adult, avoid authoritarian approach
Allow maintenance of control
Talk directly to them, not through parents, and offer explanations
Maintain privacy
Establish trust to gain cooperation
R: HR:
Systolic:

8. Young Adult (21yr -39yr) Characteristics
Sets career goals, chooses lifestyle
May start own family, building connections
Developing responsible attitude
Need to establish healthy lifestyle
Nutrition needed for maintenance not growth
Mental abilities peak during 20s
Nursing Implications
Respect personal values, be honest & supportive
Consider significant others, impact on job
Encourage to pursue healthy lifestyle
Teach & encourage testicular & breast self-exam
Maintain privacy
Encourage creating Advance Directive
R: HR:
Systolic: <120

9. Middle Adult (40yr -64yr) Characteristics
May develop chronic health problems
Decrease in bone and muscle mass, short term memory, loss of skeletal height and calcium, skin elasticity, dry skin, wrinkles
Women experience menopause
“Sandwich generation”
Use life experiences to learn, solve problems
Future oriented, has specific goals
Nursing Implications
Encourage regular check-ups & preventative exams
Assist person to recognize risk factors related to health
Focus on their strengths
Address worries about children & aging parents
Treat with respect
Provide explanations and educate

10. Older Adult (65yr -79yr) Characteristics
Continue to be active learner/thinker
Takes on new roles, balances independence v. dependence
Most elderly are not depressed
May become isolated
Some decline in physical abilities, senses, memory skills (short term memory, attention span shortens)
Nursing Implications
Promote mobility & ADL
Consider needs related to diminished sight, hearing (may need to read information to patient, face person when talking to them)
Allow reminiscing about the past
Promote physical, mental, social activities to prevent isolation
Allow more time for processing new information
Educate about safety measures

11. Adult 80 & Older Characteristics
Decline in physical ability, increased risk for chronic illness
Decline in memory & learning skills
May need assistance in ADL
May have diminished appetite, fluid intake
Nursing Implications
Encourage as much mobility & ADL as possible
Encourage healthy eating & adequate fluid intake, monitor bowel function
Avoid treating older adult like a child
Respect & support end of lie decisions

13. Age Specific Competency Post Test

14. Age Specific Competency Post Test
1. When performing any procedure on an infant, it is important to:
A. Move as quickly as possible
B. Talk to the baby while performing the procedure
C. Avoid eye contact
D. Allow mother to hold infant while waiting
2. It is important to always speak to the infant before a touch:
A. True
B. False
3. To help the newborn feel secure, caregivers can:
A. Hold the infant only when he cries
B. Imitate how the parent holds the newborn
C. Encourage friends and neighbors to be involved in care

15. Age Specific Competency Post Test
4. As a healthcare provider, one of the most important parts of the infant's history is:
A. Favorite meals
B. Likes and dislikes
C. Favorite toys
D. Immunization record
5. The toddler who is having blood drawn:
A. Will usually want a parent present
B. Will be concerned with privacy
C. Will require a detailed explanation of the procedure
6. Use of the word "No" by a toddler indicates:
A. He has limited vocabulary
B. He is showing his independence
C. He is not friendly towards strangers
D. He hasn't learned how to say "Yes"

16. Age Specific Competency Post Test
7. Preschoolers have increased speech skills, attention span and memory. This helps them to:
A. Manipulate their environment
B. Sleep better without their parents
C. Change their routines more easily
D. Understand what is happening to them
8. School-aged children have a need to:
A. Gain independence from their friends
B. Fit in with peers
C. Be separated from siblings in a stressful situation
9. When doing procedures with children, it is important to let them:
A. Know they can cry
B. Become separated from their parents
C. Know your first name
D. Leave them alone to gain control of their emotions

17. Age Specific Competency Post Test
10. During the adolescent period, it is normal to be concerned with:
A. Current events
B. Childhood memories
C. The same things as adults
D. Body image
11. It is important for staff working with adolescents to:
A. Assume the patients will ask if they have any questions
B. Talk to the parents since an adolescent is unable to really understand fully
C. Talk directly to the adolescent and offer explanations
D. Tell them as little as possible so they will not be frightened
12. The hospitalized adolescent patient :
A. Is not affected by the hospital stay
B. Continually strives for independence and control
C. Is not concerned with assisting with plan of care, and encourages parents advice
D. Is too immature to understand or care about the changes occurring in their bodies

18. Age Specific Competency Post Test
13. The adolescent population is usually characterized by:
A. Rapid growth
B. Awkwardness on gross motor skills
C. Beginning of development of occupational identity
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
14. For the young adult, it is important to involve the individual and significant other in the plan of care.
A. True
B. False
15. Which statement about young adults is NOT true:
A. Nutritional needs are for growth, not maintenance
B. Seeks closeness with others & may start own family
C. Makes lifelong decisions
D. Needs to be encouraged to have regular checkups

19. Age Specific Competency Post Test
16.Young adults like others to make decisions for them and to control their lives.
A. True
B. False
17. Which of the following physical change(s) occur in middle adulthood?
A. Loss of skin elasticity, dry skin and an increase in wrinkles
B. Decrease in muscle strength and mass
C. Decrease in bone mass
D. Loss of skeletal height and calcium
E. All of the above
18. During middle adulthood, short-term memory or recall increases.

20. Age Specific Competency Post Test
19. We should be patient with the middle-aged adult who is part of the “sandwich
generation” (caring for aging parents and their own children).
A. True
B. False
20. Which of the following intervention(s) should we do with middle-aged adults?
A. Treat them with respect and explain everything to them
B. Encourage as much dependency as possible
C. Make decisions for them instead of allowing them choices
D. All of the above
21. The middle-aged adult is future-oriented and has specific goals.

21. Age Specific Competency Post Test
22. Which of the following statement(s) is true, related to the elderly? Select all that apply.
A. They do not like to talk about the past
B. They may have difficulty hearing and/or seeing
C. They tend to be depressed
D. They need more time to process new information
23. When giving an elderly person instructions, it is important to:
A. Shout in the ear
B. Treat the person as you would a person of any age
C. Face the person so he/she can see your lips
D. Wait until a family member is present

22. Age Specific Competency Post Test
24. Identify the appropriate change for visual impairment in the
elderly.
A. No change in lighting is needed
B. With glasses, no changes in lighting needed
C. Staff may need to read information to the patient
D. The family is responsible for the accommodations
25. When educating a person over 65, the following changes in
cognitive functioning need to be considered:
A. Short-term memory may be impaired
B. More time is needed to process information
C. Attention span shortens
D. All of the above