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

You are a nurse at the Community Health Center. Based on the first letter of your first name, you are assigned the following age groups: A-F: 0-3 months G-L: 4-6 months M-S: 7-9 months T-Z: 10-12 months A parent/caregiver has brought their infant to your Community Health Center. Based on your assigned age group, what will you assess to determine the health and development status of the infant? Describe the normal findings you would anticipate for each area assessed. Select one area that could be a "red flag" finding. Discuss the recommendations that you would give the parent/caregiver supported by evidence-based practice to address this "red flag" finding. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies 2.5, 2.9, and 1.3.

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:

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

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:

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.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help strengthen the infant's muscles and improve motor skills.
Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy can help the infant develop fine motor skills, such as grasping and manipulating objects.
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]

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