Overview of Pediatric Physical Assessment Overview of Pediatric ...

4/5/2011Growth Parameters andAreas of Concern• Know normal weight gains for age• Usual expected height velocity forage• Family information specifically aboutparental stature• Consider children born in othercountriesGrowth Parameters andAreas of Concern• Be concerned about headcircumferences at extremes andheight/weight crossing percentilesDevelopmental Assessmentfor Age General Information• Use standardized developmentalscreening tools assessing grossmotor, fine motor, language,sensory, and social development• Be “open-ended” with questions• Use observation during the history tofill-in developmental informationDevelopmental Assessmentfor Age General Information• Ask about hearing concerns evenwith newborns• Be alert to normal acquisition oflanguage milestones• Screen at every well infant and childvisitMeasure Vital Signs andKnow How to Interpret AgeAppropriate Variations• Temperature– Can use tympanic thermometers toavoid invasive techniques such asrectal thermometers past thenewborn and early infant agesMeasure Vital Signs andKnow How to Interpret AgeAppropriate Variations• Pulse– Apical less than 2 years old/countfor one minute3