Chapter 7 – Life Span Development

Various changes through life development of an individual

1)      Newborns and infants (1month – 1 year)

a)      Vitals

i)        Faster pulse and respiration

(1)   At birth: HR 90 – 180 bpm       RR 30 – 60

(2)   ~1 year: RR slows to 20 – 30

b)      Weight

i)        At birth

(1)   ~ 6 – 8 lbs (3 – 3.5kg)

c)      Pulmonary system

i)        Rib cage is less rigid and sit horizontally

ii)      Infants have proportionally larger tongues and narrower airways à more risk of obstruction’

d)      Nervous system

i)        Reflexes

(1)   Moro reflex

(2)   Palmar grasp

(3)   Root reflex

(4)   Sucking reflex

ii)      Fontanelles allow head to be molded

(1)   Posterior fontanelle

(a)    Fuses by 3 months

(2)   Anterior fontanelle

(a)    Fuses by 9 months

(3)   Bulging fontanelle indicates increased intracranial pressure.

2)      Toddlers and preschoolers (1 – 3 years)

3)      School-age children (6 – 12 years)

4)      Adolescents (12 – 18 years)

5)      Adulthood

a)      Early (19 – 40 years)

b)      Middle (41 – 60 years)

c)      Older (61+ years)

*** Blood pressure directly corresponds to patient weight.