Consider the following patient scenario: A mother comes in with 9-month-old girl. The infant is 68.5cm in length (25th percentile per CDC growth chart), weighs 6.75kg (5th percentile per CDC growth chart), and has a head circumference of 43cm (25th percentile per CDC growth chart). Describe the developmental markers a nurse should assess for a 9-month-old female infant. Discuss the recommendations you would give the mother. Explain why these recommendations are based on evidence-based practice. Purchase the answer to view it
Developmental assessment is a crucial aspect of nursing care for infants, as it helps to identify any delays or abnormalities in an infant’s growth and development. For a 9-month-old female infant, several developmental markers should be assessed to ensure her well-being and identify any potential concerns.
One important marker to assess is gross motor development. At 9 months, an infant should be able to sit without support and may even start crawling or pulling up to stand. The nurse should observe the infant’s ability to sit steadily, with good balance and control over her trunk and head. It is also important to assess whether the infant can roll from tummy to back or vice versa, as this demonstrates the development of strength and coordination in the upper body.
Fine motor development is another crucial aspect to assess. By 9 months, an infant should have developed the pincer grasp, which involves using the thumb and index finger to pick up small objects. The nurse should assess whether the infant can pick up and manipulate small objects such as Cheerios or small toys. Additionally, the nurse should observe the infant’s ability to bang objects together or transfer them from one hand to the other, as these actions demonstrate developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Language development is also an important marker to assess. By 9 months, an infant should be able to babble and make various sounds, such as “mama” or “dada.” The nurse should listen for vocalizations and assess how the infant interacts and responds to sounds and voices. Additionally, the nurse should assess whether the infant engages in back-and-forth communication, such as imitating sounds or responding to simple commands, as this indicates emerging language and communication skills.
Cognitive development should also be evaluated. At 9 months, an infant should be able to explore objects by shaking, banging, or dropping them. The nurse should observe whether the infant shows curiosity and interest in her environment, as well as her ability to problem-solve and find hidden objects. Additionally, the nurse should assess the infant’s visual tracking skills, as she should be able to follow objects with her eyes as they move across her visual field.
Social and emotional development is another important aspect to assess. By 9 months, an infant should show a preference for familiar caregivers and may show distress when separated from them. The nurse should observe how the infant responds to various social interactions, such as smiling, making eye contact, or reaching out for objects or people. Additionally, the nurse should assess whether the infant shows signs of anxiety or fear in unfamiliar situations or with unfamiliar people.
Based on the assessment findings, the nurse can provide recommendations to the mother. In this case, the infant’s measurements (length, weight, and head circumference) are within the 25th percentile per the CDC growth chart. This suggests that the infant’s growth is proportional and falls within the expected range for her age. Therefore, the nurse can reassure the mother that the infant’s physical growth is satisfactory.
However, if any concerns or delays are identified during the developmental assessment, the nurse should address them promptly. For example, if the infant is not meeting milestones in gross motor development, the nurse may recommend activities that promote motor skills, such as supervised tummy time, encouraging crawling, or providing age-appropriate toys that encourage sitting and standing. It may also be appropriate to refer the infant to a specialist, such as a pediatric physical therapist, for further evaluation and intervention.
These recommendations are based on evidence-based practice, which involves using the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences to guide nursing care. The assessment of developmental markers and the subsequent recommendations for interventions are based on extensive research and standardized guidelines, such as the CDC growth chart and developmental milestones. These tools provide a solid foundation for identifying both typical and atypical development, allowing nurses to provide individualized care and support to infants and their families.