Term | Definition |
Adolescent | 11-24 years old
Transitional stage between childhood and adulthood, starts at onset of puberty |
Puberty | Males:14 Females:13
Changes in the reproductive, endocrine, and structural processes that lead to fertility. Rapid changes in physical, psychosocial, spiritual, moral, and cognitive growth |
Sweat Glands | Axillary, genital, and umbilical areas.
Source of B.O. |
Sebaceous Glands | Face, shoulders, chest, upper back, neck, genitals.
Can become clogged or inflamed with debris
Increased sebum |
Acne | Q1
80-84% of adolescence have acne
Wash face two-three times a day with soap and water
Vigorous scrubbing should be discouraged, squeezing leads to further injury or irritation |
Blackheads | open comedones |
White heads | closed comedones |
Risk-Taking Behavior | "Peter pan" ideology and experimentation
invulnerability to illness or injury |
Slang | Texting, popular dress, drug use, peer activities |
Partnering Approach | Q7
Support autonomy; Focus on strengths |
Scoliosis | Q8
Curvature of the spine; S-shaped
Screenings for prepubertal and pubertal adolescents
Common in females
Early identification important; disfigurement, impaired morbidity, cardiopulmonary complications |
Primary Sex Characteristics | Essential for reproduction
Female- uterus/vagina
Male- testis/penis |
Secondary Sex Characteristics | Not essential for reproduction
Breasts, facial/pubic hair, low voice |
Tanner Staging | Chart to monitor the degree of maturation of the primary and secondary sex characteristics |
Gynecomastia | Development of breasts (unilateral/bilateral) prior to a growth spurt- males
Typically temporary and usually disappear
Occasionally persists and leads to body image problems |
Males | Thinning of the scrotal sac and enlargement of testicles
Ejaculation; nocturnal emissions |
Females | Development of breast buds
Menarche, typically have a higher pulse than males |
Menarche | Start of menstruation
Typically two years after formation of breast buds |
Teens* | Less acute illnesses than children
Less chronic illnesses than adults
Overall less hospital visits |
Turner Syndrome XO | Females- only one X chromosome than two X's
Short stature, shield shaped chest, low hair line, lack of reproductive development, remain sterile, low set ears, cardiac/renal anomalies present |
Klinefelter Syndrome XXY | Males- Extra Y chromosome
Seldom diagnosed before puberty
Tall, thin, behavioral/learning problems, do not develop secondary sex characteristics, androgen therapy, remains sterile |
Body Image | Feels of and views of body and influence of social norms/expectations
Media influence/ health perception- Q4 |
Anorexia Nervosa | Q10
Affects more females than males
Feeling of control- restricted eating, high physical activity, brittle hair and nails, yellowish skin tone, thinness, self-starvation, muscle weakness, constipation, lack of menstruation, decreased sexual interest |
Bulimia Nervosa | Affects females more than males
Binge eating of high-caloric foods, purge by self-induced vomiting or laxatives, affects electrolyte imbalance, teeth, dehydration |
Binge Eating Disorder | Compulsive over eating
Eating while watching TV, playing video games, or internet surfing
Leads to obesity and possible type II diabetes |
Diabetes | Type 1- high amount of glucose found in the blood. Uncontrolled= kidney failure, blindness, amputations
Type 2- can be diagnosed at any age
Overweight/inactive lifestyle; helped with lifestyle changes |
Sleep-rest | Need 8 hours of sleep a night
Texting, jobs, extracurricular activities,substance abuse, early start to high school.
Mood swings and behavioral problems |
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development | Q3- Formal operations- can focus on formation of thoughts, objects, and experiences, rather than the content
Groundwork for abstract thinking |
Introspection | Ego-centrism- belief of being the primary focus; special, unique, and exceptional |
Idealism | Necessary part of normal thinking
Goes against family beliefs, religion, or social causes due to its appearance of not solving social problems fast enough |
Erikson's Theory of Psycho-social Development | Form of an identity; opposing of role confusion leading to an identity crisis. Staging previous stages of psycho-social development |
Body piercings and tattoos | 30%
Form of self expression; risk for HIV, hepatitis, blood-borne illnesses |
Breast/testicular exams | Females- 2-3 days after period ends when breasts are least tender or sensitive
Males- after or during a warm shower |
Depressive disorder | Use of the words: sad, low, blue, down, hopeless, worried, bored, discouraged.
Depressed, irritable mood, lack of pleasure in usual activities
Linked with obesity and STI's |
Dysthymia | Depressive disorder that continues for a long period of time with no more than two months of relief |
Suicide | Third leading cause of death in this age group (10-24)
Can be prevented; adolescence show many signs |
Accidents | Motor- 20 times more likely than any other age group
Violence- weapons, music lyrics, test limits
Sports injury- vulnerable, immature, poor judgment |
Infection | Mononucleosis "kissing disease"
Direct contact of oropharyngeal secretions
Prevalent among adolescents; Sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, high sexual energy = high risk-taking behaviors. STD infections |
Tobacco use | Starts in adolescent age |
Cancer | Cervical Cancer risks:
Smoking, high number of sexual partners, partner that has a high number of sexual partners, engaging in sexual intercourse before the age of 20, history of STDs
Annual PAP exam, pelvic exam, and HPV vaccination |
Cognitive | Future orientated, ability to delay immediate satisfaction, increased cognitive skills and understanding, increased vocabulary--slang, electronic communication |