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Neonate and Infants (0 to 1 year)
Neonate:
Pulse Rate: 90 to 180 beats/min
Respirations: 30 to 60 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure: 50 to 70 mm Hg
Temperature: 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit Infant:
Pulse Rate- 100 to 160 beats/min
Respirations: 25 to 50 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 70 to 95 mm Hg
Temperature- 96.8 to 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (Neonate/Infant)
In the first hour after birth, the pulse rate often drops to 120 beats/min and respiratory rate goes to 20 to 30 breaths/min. The tidal wave for neonates is at 6 to mL/kg at the beginning. Towards the end of the first year the volume increases to 10 to 15 mL/kg. Neonates typically weigh around 6 to 8 lbs at birth. During the first week after birth, neonates usually lose 5% to 10% of their birth weight from fluid loss. At week two the neonates start to gain the weight back. -
Physical Changes (Neonate/Infant)
After the second week, the infants grow at a rate of 1 oz. per day. When neonates are born, hormones and pressure help to transition from fetal circulation to independent circulation. When in the womb, neonates had not filled their lungs with air before therefore the first breath is forceful. Neonates are primarily "nose breathers." This then makes any infant younger than 6 months prone to nasal congestion. When looking at the infants airway, it is different from an adult's. -
Physical Changes (Neonates/Infants)
The tongues are larger than the oral cavity and the airway is shorter and narrower. Even after birth neonates develop their nervous system. For the first couple of weeks, neonates are not able to individually move any body parts or isolate particular response to sensation. Though they are born with certain reflexes.The Moro Reflex is when the neonate is scared and opens his/her arms wides with their fingers spreading trying to grip at something. -
Physical Changes (Neonate/Infant)
The Palmar Grasp is when something is placed inside the neonates palm and he/she grasp it. The Rooting Reflex is when something touches the cheek of the neonate and he/she turns towards the touch. With that there is the Sucking Reflex, which is when something touches he/she's mouth they will open because it is usually a sign that they will be fed. When neonates are born they have fontanelles, which are spaces between the bones of the skull. -
Physical Changes (Neonate/Infant)
The posterior fontanelles fuse together around the third month of life and the anterior fontanelles fuse around 9 to 18 months of life. Though when the fontanelles are depressed it's a sign of dehydration and a bulging fontanelle is a sign of increased intracranial pressure. While in the womb, neonates collect antibodies from maternal blood and can also get some through breastfeeding. -
Psychosocial Changes (Neonate/Infant)
The way that infants communicate is through crying and parents are able to disguise from an angry cry from a frustrated, pain, fear, hunger, discomfort, or sleepiness cry. At this time infants also develop relationships with their parents or caregiver. This is known as a secure attachment, which is when the infant understand that the parents or caregiver will respond to his/her needs. There is also anxious-avoidant attachment, when an infant is repeatedly rejected. -
Psychosocial Changes (Neonate/Infant)
There is also separation anxiety is when the infant becomes clingy to the parents and has a fear of unfamiliar places and people. There is a stage in development that is referred to as Trust and Mistrust. What this refers to is the fact that the infant has to grow up in a secure and organized environment were the parents/caregiver give consistent care. If the infant does not feel secure then he/she develop a sense of mistrust. -
Noticeable Characteristics at Various Ages (Neonate/Infant)
2 months-recognizes familiar faces;tracks objects with eyes
3 months-brings objects to mouth;smiles and frowns
4 months-reaches out to people
5 months-sleeps throughout night;recognizes family members from strangers
6 months-teething begins;sits upright;speaks one-syllable word
7 months-afraid of strangers;mood swing
8 months-responds to no;can sit alone; play peek-a-boo
9 months-pull up to stand;places objects in mouth
10 months-responds to name;crawls
11 months-walks alone
12 months-knows name -
Toddlers and Preschoolers (1 to 6 years)
Toddlers:
Pulse Rate- 90 to 150 beats/min
Respirations- 20 to 30 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 80 to 100 mmHg
Temperature- 96.8 to 99.6 Fahrenheit Preschool:
Pulse rate- 80 to 140 beats/min
Respirations- 20 to 25 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 80 to 100 mmHg
Temperature- 98.6 Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (Toddler/Preschooler)
The weight gain compared to an infant should be leveling off at this time. The lungs develop more and more bronchioles and alveoli. Toddlers and preschoolers have more lung tissue, it is not developed enough which keeps them from sustaining deep or rapid breaths for a period of time. Though the most obvious change is the loss of passive immunity. At this point in time they tend to have more colds as they are acquiring immunities to various viruses and germs. -
Physical Changes (Toddler/Preschooler)
During this time toddlers and preschoolers spend a lot of time exploring their expansive nervous system and the muscles it controls. They do this by running, jumping, and playing catch. The way they change it he way they play also shows who they are moving from gross motor skills to fine motor skills. By the end of this stage, preschoolers have 90% of their adult brain weight. -
Psychosocial Changes (Toddler/Preschooler)
At this period toddlers and preschoolers are learning to speak and express themselves. This will help them become more independent. Though at this point toddlers are very attached to their parents which causes separation anxiety. By 36 months basic language is mastered and at 3 to 4 years old most are able to understand full sentences. They also start to interact with other children and become more social. With this stage they also learn cause and effect. -
School Age Children (6 to 12 years)
Pulse Rate- 70 to 120 beats/min
Respirations- 15 to 20 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 80 to 110 mmHg
Temperature- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (School Age)
The vital signs for 6 to 12 year olds slowly starts resemble the vital signs of adults. During this time children grow about 4 lbs. and 2.5 inches each year. Their permanent teeth also start come in during this time. Their brain activity for both hemispheres also increases. -
Psychosocial Changes (School Age)
In this stage, parents do not pay as much attention to the children and it becomes a critical time for child development for learning different types of reasoning. Pre conventional reasoning know what cause and effect are and try to act in a way that will keep them from getting punished. Conventional reasoning is when they want approval from their peers and society. Post conventional reasoning is when they make their decision based on their conscience. -
Adolescents (12 to 18 years)
Pulse Rate- 60 to 100 beats/min
Respirations- 12 to 20 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 90 to 110 mmHg
Temperature- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (Adolescents)
Adolescents start to reach the adult vital sign range with just the systolic blood pressure being off by a bit. Teens also experience a 2-3 year growth spurt and body changes. The growth that teen experience first start off in the hands and feet then move to the long bones in the extremities, finally the torso grows. Girls finish their growth spurt at 16 years old and boys finish at 18 years old. The reproductive system also matures during this time. -
Physical Changes (Adolescents)
The sexual development begins with the enlargement of external reproductive organs. There is pubic hair and axillary hair that begin to appear and voices start to change in range and depth. For girls they start their menstrual period and size in breast and thigh increases too. With the hormonal changes within adolescents there is a possibility that acne will show up. -
Psychosocial Changes (Adolescents)
As teenagers age, the need for privacy from family and independence increases. This may cause some conflict between them. Self-consciousness also increases during this time. They want to try and define who they are by dressing a certain way and getting feedback from friends and family. Especially since they are trying to find themselves, teens get a rebellious attitude and may become antisocial. Though they also experience peer pressure to try drugs, alcohol, or sex. -
Psychosocial Changes (Adolescents)
The fact that they have peer pressure may also cause adolescents to watch who they eat and could develop a eating disorder. It is especially important that they have the patience and support from family members during this time. The reason being that adolescents are at a higher risk of committing suicide or becoming depressed. -
Early Adults (19 to 40 years)
Pulse Rate- 60 to 100 beats/min
Respirations- 12 to 20 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 90 to 140 mmHg
Temperature- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (Early Adults)
From the ages of 19 to 25 years old, the body should be performing at it's optimal level. The habits that have been formed have become permanent, even if it's bad or good for you. As this period goes on, bits of wear and tear on bones and changes to body tissue and muscles begin.There may be a "shrinking" in size because of the settlement of disk in the spine.Keeping weight off becomes harder and eating whatever you want without gaining weight becomes harder. Many changes occur during this time. -
Psychosocial Changes (Early Adults)
At this stage in life there are three categories that these early adults go through: work, family, and stress. They try to "settle down" while trying to find their place in this world. Some may get married and have kids. But even though they have this much stress, they live in the most stable period in life. -
Middle Adults (41 to 60 years)
Pulse Rate- 60 to 100 beats/min
Respirations- 12 to 20 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 90 to 140 mmHg
Temperature- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (Middle Adults)
By this time there will be no real change in their vitals but they are vulnerable to sight and hearing loss. There are also possibilities of cardiovascular issues and getting cancer. In women, menopause begins during the late 40's or early 50's. There may be other medical problems that they may encounter that they are not aware of. -
Psychosocial Changes (Middle Adults)
Since it is the midway of their life, these adults tend to focus on life goals after having to nurture children that are now off to live their own lives. This leaves them worrying about finances as retirement gets closer. Though there could also be the fact that they may be taking care of their own parents while helping out their children get into college or with college. -
Older Adults (61 years and older)
Pulse Rate- 60 to 100 beats/min
Respirations- 12 to 20 breaths/min
Systolic Blood Pressure- 90 to 140 mmHg
Temperature- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit -
Physical Changes (Older Adults)
Life expectancy is approximately 78 years old with 120 being the maximum life expectancy. There are many factors that can determine how you live. Whether it be diet, attitude towards exercise, advance in medical care, and personal behaviors. Their vital signs depend on overall health, medical conditions, and use of medications. With the medical advances, older adults are staying active for a longer time with the help of multiple medications to do so. -
Physical Changes (Older Adults)
Cardiac function declines mainly due to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the build up of calcium and cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. This can lead to partial or complete blockage of the blood vessel which can decrease the blood supply to other organs. Their heart rate may also decrease which means that the heart cannot match the demands of the body. This hinders the heart from being able to respond to exercise or diseases. -
Physical Changes (Older Adults)
When older adults have a life-threatening illness, the body usually needs to increase heart rate but because the muscles may become weaker it could end up harming them instead. As you age the diastolic blood pressure increases. The body is not able to compensate for blood pressure changes because the vessels are less able to dilate and contract. In the end the heart has to work harder. Also the bone marrow is also replaced with fatty tissue, decreasing the production of blood cells. -
Physical Changes (Older Adults)
Even though the size of the airway increases, surface area of the alveoli decrees, causing them to use their intercostal muscles more to breathe. Along with the fact that when the elasticity of the lung decreases so does the strength of the intercostal muscles and diaphragm, making breathing more labor intensive. Though there are many changes to the respiratory system, they are slow and take a severe life-threatening condition to notice. -
Physical Changes (Older Adults)
Older adults also have to deal with the fact that their body does not produce enough insulin and their metabolism decreases. As they age they tend to slow down their physical activity but don't eat smaller portions. Since they cannot produce enough insulin anymore it can lead to diabetes mellitus. Reproductive for both genders change. Men can produce sperm late into their 80's, rigidity of penis decreases. Women's size of uterus and vagina decreases and both have a decrease of hormones. -
Psychosocial Changes (Older Adults)
Until around 5 years before death, they have have high brain function but 5 years preceding death, mental function declines. It is shown the 95% of older adults live at home. Through this generations, family members tend to not care for their older family members unlike previous generations. Since they are older, they have the fact that they may pass and have seen close friends pass as well. This can cause then to become depressed or isolate themselves, but many are happy and are active.
