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. Using 300-350 words APA format with references
Developmental assessment is a vital part of nursing care for infants, as it helps evaluate their growth and progress in various domains of development. This essay will discuss the developmental markers a nurse should assess for a 9-month-old female infant and provide recommendations to the mother based on evidence-based practice.
Cognitive development is an essential aspect of an infant’s growth. At 9 months, a nurse should assess the infant’s ability to use objects correctly, such as using a spoon or grasping a toy. The nurse should observe if the infant is exploring her environment, showing curiosity, and demonstrating object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. The nurse should also look for signs of imitation, as well as the infant’s ability to understand simple instructions or gestures.
Language development is another crucial area to monitor. At this age, an infant should be babbling, making a variety of sounds, and recognizing familiar words. The nurse should assess the infant’s ability to respond to her own name and evaluate her understanding of simple words or gestures. The nurse should also observe the infant’s communication skills, such as eye contact and turn-taking during interactions.
Motor development is significant in assessing an infant’s overall growth. Gross motor skills to assess at 9 months include sitting without support, rolling over, and potentially crawling or pulling up to stand. Fine motor skills to evaluate include the infant’s ability to grasp small objects, transfer objects between hands, and exhibit pincer grasp (using the thumb and index finger to pick up small items).
Social and emotional development is crucial for an infant’s overall well-being. The nurse should assess the infant’s attachment to her primary caregiver, as well as her response to strangers. The nurse should also observe the infant’s ability to engage in social interactions, such as smiling, making eye contact, and responding to social cues. Furthermore, the nurse should assess the infant’s ability to express emotions, such as joy, anger, and frustration.
Based on the developmental assessment, recommendations can be provided to the mother. Firstly, the nurse should reassure the mother that her infant’s growth measurements (length, weight, and head circumference) are within the normal range, albeit on the lower percentiles. This reassurance can alleviate any concerns the mother may have about her infant’s growth.
In terms of cognitive development, the nurse can recommend activities that encourage exploration and interaction, such as providing age-appropriate toys and books for the infant to explore. The nurse can also suggest activities that promote object permanence, such as playing hide-and-seek with toys or covering objects with a cloth and encouraging the infant to uncover them.
For language development, the nurse can advise the mother to engage in frequent verbal interactions with her infant, such as talking, singing, and reading aloud. The nurse can recommend using simple gestures and words consistently to help the infant associate meaning with familiar actions or objects.
In terms of motor development, the nurse can suggest activities that encourage gross motor skills, such as supervised tummy time to strengthen neck and back muscles. The nurse can also recommend providing safe environments for the infant to explore and crawl, allowing her to practice gross motor skills. For fine motor skills, the nurse can suggest providing age-appropriate toys that encourage grasping and transferring objects between hands.
For social and emotional development, the nurse can encourage the mother to establish consistent routines and provide responsive and nurturing care. The nurse can emphasize the importance of creating a secure attachment relationship with the infant, which includes responding promptly to her needs and providing comfort and reassurance. The nurse can also recommend engaging in interactive play with the infant to promote social and emotional development.
These recommendations are based on evidence-based practice, which involves integrating clinical expertise, best available research evidence, and patient values and preferences. The recommendations provided align with the milestone achievements expected for a 9-month-old infant and are supported by research literature on infant development. By incorporating evidence-based recommendations, the nurse can promote optimal development and well-being for the 9-month-old infant and provide guidance to the mother based on the best available knowledge.