Question | Answer |
growth spurts | occur throughout childhood, alternating with periods of slow growth |
simple to complex | language, for example develops from simple to complex |
general to specific | activities move from being generalized toward being more focused.for ex.the child will use the whole hand before picking up a small object between the thumb and forefinger |
proximodistal | growth & development proceeds from the center outward or from the mildline to the periphery |
cephalocaudal | growth & development proceeds from head to toe |
febrile | pertaining to or characterized by an elevated body temperature, such as a febrile reaction to an infectious agent |
development | an increase in function and complexity that results through learning, maturation and growth |
dentition | the eruption of teeth.this occurs in a sequential pattern, with 20 primary teeth erupting between the ages of 6 to 30 months |
deciduous teeth | baby teeth; the first set of teeth also known as primary teeth |
cyanosis | bluish discoloration of the skin & mucous membranes caused by an excess of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect in the hemoglobin molecule |
crackles | a common abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation of the chest during inspiration,characterized by discontinuous bubbling noises |
congenital | present at birth |
axillary temperature | the body temperature as recorded by a thermometer placed in the armpit. the reading is generally 0.5 to 1.0 degree less than the oral temperature |
immunization | a process buy which resistance to an infectious disease is induced or augmented |
immunity | the quality of being insusceptible to or unaffected by a particular disease or condition |
hydrocephalus | a pathological condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, usually under increased pressure within the cranial vault & subsequent dilation of the ventricles; hydrocephaly |
head circumference | the measurement around the greatest circumference of the head of an infant.this measurement is plotted according to normal growth & development patterns for the infant's head. |
grunting | abnormal, short audible deep, hoarse sounds in exhalation that often accompany sever chest pain |
growth | an increase in the whole or any of its parts physically |
friction rub | a dry, grating sound heard with a stethoscope during auscultation |
apnea | an absence of spontaneous respiration |
apical pulse | the heart rate as heard with a stethoscope placed on the chest wall adjacent to the cardiac apex(top of the heart) |
active acquired immunity | a form of long-term acquired immunity that protects the body against a new infection as the result of antibodies that develop naturally after an initial infection or artificially after a vaccination |
infant | a child who is in the earliest stage of extrauterine life,a time extending from the first month after birth to approximately 12 months of age-when the baby is able to assume an erect posture |
length (recumbent) | the measurement of the distance from the crown of the infant's head to the infant's heel, while the infant is lying on the back with legs extended |
lumbar puncture | the introduction of a hollow needle & stylet into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar portion of the spinal canal to obtain specimens of cerebrospinal fluid |
microcephalus | a congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal smallness of the head in relation to the rest of the body & by underdevelopment of the brain, resulting in some degree of mental retardation |
natural immunity | a usually innate and permanent form of immunity to a specific disease |
neonatologist | a medical doctor who specializes in neonatology |
neonatology | the medical specialty concerned with the diseases and abnormalities of the newborn infant |
prodromal | pertaining to early signs or symptoms that mark the onset of a disease |
primary teeth | baby teeth; the first set of teeth;also known as deciduous teeth |
pediatrics | pertaining to preventive and primary health care and treatment of children and the study of childhood diseases |
pediatric nurse practitioner | a registered nurse with advanced study and clinical practice in pediatric nursing |
pediatrician | a physician who specializes in pediatrics |
passive acquired immunity | a form of acquired immunity resulting from antibodies that are transmitted naturally through the placenta to a fetus,through the colostrum to an infant,artificially by injection of antiserum for treatment or as a prophylaxis |
oral temperature | the mean body temperature of a normal person as recorded by a clinical thermometer placed in the mouth |
omphalorrhea | drainage from the umbilicus (navel) |
omphalocele | congenital herniation of intra-abdominal viscera through a defect in the abdominal wall around the umbilicus |
omphalitis | an inflammation of the umbilical stump,marked by redness, swelling, and purulent exudate in severe cases |
nomogram | a graphic representation by any of various systems, of a numeric relationship |
wheezing | a breath sound, characterized by a high-pitched musical quality heard on both inspiration & expiration.may be associated with asthma and chronic bronchitis as well as other illnesses |
well-child visit | routine health visit in which health professionals assess the current health status of the child, the progression of growth & development and the need for immunizations |
vertex | the top of the head; crown |
vaccine | a suspension of attenuated or killed microorganisms administered intradermally, intramucualy, orally or subcutaneously to induce active immunity to infectious disease |
tympanic temperature | the body temperature as measured electronically at the tympanic membrane |
toxoid | a toxin that has been treated with chemicals or with heat to decrease its toxic effect but that retains its ability to cause the production of antibodies |
stridor | an abnormal, high-pitched, musical sound caused by an obstruction in the trachea or larynx |
stature | natural height of a person in an upright position |
retraction | the displacement of tissues to expose a part or structure of the body;retractions may be seen around the ribs in a child or infant with respiratory distress |
recumbent | lying down |
rectal temperature | temperature as measured in the rectum |
pyrexia | fever |
erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) | a viral disease characterized by a face that appears as "slapped cheeks", a fiery red rash on the cheeks |
diphteria | serious infectious disease affecting the nose,pharynx,or larynx usually resulting in sore throat, dysphonia and fever.disease caused by the bacterium-Corynebacterium diphtheriae,which forms a white coating over the affected airways as it multiplies |
chickenpox (varicella) | a viral disease of sudden onset with slight fever, successive eruptions of macules,papules and vesicles on the skin-followed by crusting over of the lesions with a granular scab.itching may be severe. |
pertussis (whooping cough) | an acute upper respiratory infectious disese cause by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis |
rubeola ("red measles", 7 day measles) | acute, highly communicable viral disease that begins as an upper respiratory disorder with fever,cough,runny nose,sensitivity to light,and possible conjunctivitis |
rubella (German measles; 3 day measles) | a mild febrile(fever causing)infectious disease resembling both scarlet fever & measles, but differing from these in its short course;characterized by a rash of both macules & papules that fades & disappears in 3 days |
mumps (infectious parotitis) | acute viral disease characterized by fever,swelling,and tenderness of one or more salivary glands-usually the parotid glands(below and in front of the ears) |
impetigo | contagious superficial skin infection characterized by serous vesicles & pustules filled with millions of staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria, usually forming on the face |
roseola infantum | a viral disease with a sudden onset of a high fever for 3 to 4 days,during which time the child may experience mild coldlike symptoms and slight irritability.febrile seizures may occur |
cryptorchidism | condition of undescended testicles;the absence of one or both testicles from the scrotum |
croup | a childhood disease characterized by a barking cough,stridor(high pitched musical sound when breathing in) and laryngeal spasm |
asthma | paroxysmal dyspnea(sever attack of difficult breathing),accompanied by wheezing caused by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or by swelling of the mucous membrane |
scarlet fever (scarlatina) | an acute,contagious disease characterized by sore throat,abrupt high fever,increased pulse,strawberry tongue(red and swollen), & punctiform(pointlike)bright red rash on the body |
coarctation of the aorta | a congential heart defect characterized by a localized narrowing of the aorta,which results in increased blood pressure in the upper extremities(area proximal to the defect) & decreased blood pressure in the lower extremities(area distal to the defect) |
cleft lip and palate | congenital defect in which there is an open space between the nasal cavity & the lip,due to failure of the soft tissue & bones in this area to fuse properly during embryologic development |