American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education

Full Answer Section

Red Flag Finding: Delayed Motor Development

If the infant is unable to roll over, sit with support, or bring objects to their mouth, it could be a sign of delayed motor development. This could be due to various factors, including neurological disorders, muscular disorders, or developmental delays.

Recommendations:

1. Early Intervention: Refer the infant to early intervention services for evaluation and therapy. Early intervention can help identify and address developmental delays early on, improving the child's long-term outcomes.
2. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help strengthen the infant's muscles and improve motor skills.
3. Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy can help the infant develop fine motor skills, such as grasping and manipulating objects.
4. Regular Developmental Check-ups: Schedule regular check-ups with the pediatrician to monitor the infant's progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Evidence-Based Practice:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends early intervention for infants with developmental delays. Early intervention can improve cognitive, language, and motor skills.

References:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Developmental Milestones. Retrieved from [invalid URL removed]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Infant and Toddler Milestones. Retrieved from [invalid URL removed]

Sample Solution

Age Group: 4-6 months

Assessment Areas:

As a nurse assigned to the 4-6-month age group, I would assess the following areas to determine the infant's health and development status:

1. Physical Growth:

   • Weight: Infants typically gain about 0.5-1 pound per month.
   • Length: Infants typically grow about 1 inch per month.
   • Head Circumference: Head circumference continues to increase, reflecting brain growth.

2. Motor Development:

   • Gross Motor: Infants can roll over in both directions, sit with support, and may begin to sit independently.
   • Fine Motor: Infants can bring objects to their mouth, grasp objects with their whole hand, and may begin to transfer objects between hands.

3. Cognitive Development:

   • Object Permanence: Understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight.
   • Cause and Effect: Beginning to understand that their actions can cause reactions.

4. Social and Emotional Development:

   • Social Smiles: Smiling in response to people and objects.
   • Cooing and Babbling: Making sounds and vocalizing.