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. 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). Purchase the answer to view it Purchase the answer to view it
Developmental assessment is an essential component of pediatric nursing, particularly in assessing the growth and progress of infants. At 9 months of age, there are several key developmental markers that a nurse should assess for a female infant. These markers include gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language development, social and emotional development, and cognitive development.
In terms of gross motor skills, a 9-month-old female infant should display the ability to sit without support and begin to crawl or pull themselves up to a standing position. They should also be able to bear weight on their legs and may even attempt to take a few independent steps with support. Additionally, the infant should be able to transfer objects from one hand to the other and begin to use their fingers to grab smaller objects, displaying the development of fine motor skills.
Language development at this age should include the ability to babble and make various sounds, including consonants. The infant should respond to their own name and show interest in imitating sounds they hear. They may also begin to understand simple instructions and gestures, such as waving goodbye.
Social and emotional development is also important to assess at this age. A 9-month-old female infant should display attachment to familiar caregivers and demonstrate stranger anxiety or wariness around unfamiliar individuals. They should also begin to show a wider range of emotions, such as joy, anger, and frustration.
Lastly, cognitive development includes the ability to explore objects using their senses, such as touching and mouthing objects. They should also display an increasing curiosity about their surroundings and may show an emerging understanding of object permanence. This means they realize that objects still exist even when they are out of sight.
Based on these developmental markers, there are several recommendations that a nurse can give to the mother of a 9-month-old female infant. First and foremost, the mother should be encouraged to create a safe environment for the infant to explore and practice their motor skills. This can include providing toys and objects that promote crawling, pulling up, and walking with support. The mother should also ensure that the environment is free from hazards to prevent accidents.
In terms of language development, the mother can be advised to talk to the infant often, using simple words and gestures to engage their attention. The mother can also encourage the infant to imitate sounds and gestures by providing positive reinforcement for their attempts.
Social and emotional development can be fostered by encouraging the mother to engage in interactive play with the infant. This can include games such as peek-a-boo, and reading books with colorful pictures. The mother should also ensure that the infant has regular opportunities for social interaction with other children their age, such as playdates or attending parent-child playgroups.
For cognitive development, the mother can be advised to provide age-appropriate toys and objects for the infant to explore. This can include objects with different textures, shapes, and sizes. The mother should also engage in play activities that encourage problem-solving and cause-and-effect understanding, such as shape sorters or nesting cups.
These recommendations are based on evidence-based practice, as they align with established milestones for infant development. The developmental markers mentioned earlier are derived from research and clinical observations of typical infant development. By following these recommendations, the mother can provide her 9-month-old female infant with a supportive environment that enables them to reach their developmental milestones.
In conclusion, a nurse should assess various developmental markers for a 9-month-old female infant, including gross and fine motor skills, language development, social and emotional development, and cognitive development. Based on these assessments, the nurse can provide recommendations to the mother, which are grounded in evidence-based practice. These recommendations focus on creating a safe and stimulating environment that encourages the infant’s growth and development across various domains.