101 Nursing Bullets: Pediatric Nursing Reviewer

Enhance and solidify your knowledge of Pediatric Nursing concepts with these 101 essential nursing bullets. Designed as quick, easy-to-digest facts, these bullets are ideal for review sessions as you prepare for your NCLEX or board exams. Strengthen your understanding efficiently and effectively!

Immunizations and Infection Control

1. A child with HIV-positive blood should receive IPV rather than OPV immunization.
2. An infant born to an HIV-positive mother will usually receive AZT (zidovudine) for the first 6 weeks.
3. Infants born to an HIV-positive mother should receive all scheduled immunizations.
4. The MMR vaccine shouldn’t be given until the infant reaches one year due to maternal antibodies.
5. A child with an undiagnosed infection should be placed in isolation.
6. Chickenpox lesions should not be treated with topical corticosteroids.
7. Chickenpox lesions appear simultaneously as papules, vesicles, and crust.
8. Fifth disease is characterized by a “slapped face” erythema.
9. Roseola presents discrete rose-pink macules that fade upon pressure.
10. Pertussis (whooping cough) mandates droplet precautions due to its highly contagious nature.
11. Scarlet fever is recognizable by its characteristic sandpaper-like rash.

Nutrition and Feeding

12. Exclusively feeding cow’s milk to infants can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
13. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for infants for the first six months, supporting immunity and development.
14. Serving size: 1 tablespoon of food per year of age.
15. Infants typically triple birth weight by 12 months.
16. Test warmed fluids on caregiver’s skin to prevent infant scalding.
17. Infants typically wet 6-10 diapers daily.
18. Avoid microwave heating of infant foods as it can cause uneven temperature distribution, risking burns.
19. Infants chew by 7 months, hold spoons by 9 months, drink from cups by 1 year.
20. Introduce solid foods around 6 months, starting with iron-fortified cereals.
21. Toddlers commonly exhibit selective eating, requiring patient encouragement and dietary guidance.

Respiratory Care

22. Postural drainage in infants involves positioning across a nurse’s lap with a pillow.
23. Children with cystic fibrosis need increased calories, protein, and supplements to combat malabsorption.
24. Positive response to pancreatic enzymes includes absence of steatorrhea.
25. Signs of dehydration in infants include lethargy, irritability, reduced urination, dry skin, decreased tears, and increased pulse rate.
26. Asthma exacerbation symptoms include wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea.
27. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) commonly triggers bronchiolitis, notably in young infants.

Neurological Assessment

28. Frequent neurological assessments in meningitis patients detect early signs of complications.
29. Cerebral palsy in newborns: reflexive hypertonicity, scissoring leg movements.
30. Bulging fontanel indicates increased intracranial pressure in infants.
31. Shaken baby syndrome involves severe neurological damage, marked by seizures, slow heartbeat, respiratory distress, and retinal hemorrhage.
32. Neonatal abstinence syndrome presents with hyperactive Moro reflex, watery stools.
33. Febrile seizures typically occur with rapid temperature rise.

Developmental Milestones

34. Developmental dysplasia of the hip may present as limping or asymmetrical thigh folds.
35. Failure to thrive: weight and height below the 5th percentile.
36. Infants begin sitting unsupported around 6 months.
37. Crawling typically begins at 8-10 months.
38. Infants develop pincer grasp around 9-12 months.
39. Stranger anxiety peaks around 8-9 months.
40. Separation anxiety is common from 6-18 months.

Safety and Accident Prevention

41. Mechanical obstruction choking: leading suffocation cause in infants under 1 year.
42. Infants’ primary risks include falls, burns, and suffocation, emphasizing environmental safety.
43. Toddlers: risks include burns, poisoning, drowning.
44. Preschoolers: playground injuries, choking, poisoning, drowning.
45. Adolescents: automobile accidents, drowning, fires, firearm accidents.
46. Bryant’s traction requires slightly elevated buttocks for children under age 3 or less than 30 lb.
47. Check bathwater temperature to prevent scalding.
48. Avoid leaving small objects around infants and toddlers.
49. Use rear-facing car seats until age 2.
50. Secure furniture to avoid tip-over injuries, particularly in active toddlers.

Pediatric Traction and Orthopedics

51. Ninety-ninety traction effectively stabilizes femur and tibia fractures.
52. Body weight provides traction force in Bryant’s traction.
53. Regular skin assessment needed under traction devices.
54. Check neurovascular status frequently in children with casts.
55. Clubfoot correction often involves serial casting.
56. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease typically manifests as a painless limp, requiring thorough assessment.

Cardiovascular and Vital Signs:

57. Blood pressure is essentially the same in arms and legs of infants.
58. Tachycardia often indicates dehydration or fever in infants.
59. Bradycardia in infants may indicate hypoxia.
60. Monitor apical pulse for accuracy in children under 2 years.
61. Capillary refill should be under 2 seconds in healthy children.

Gastrointestinal Care

62. Hold infants with cleft palate upright during feedings.
63. Hirschsprung disease manifests as chronic constipation and abdominal distention.
64. Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms include frequent regurgitation and irritability.
65. Intussusception classic signs: currant jelly stools, intermittent pain.
66. Appendicitis in children commonly presents as abdominal pain at McBurney’s point.

Genitourinary and Renal Care:

67. Frequent urinalysis is essential in monitoring pediatric renal function.
68. Hypospadias requires surgical correction around 6-12 months of age.
69. Nephrotic syndrome signs: edema, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia.
70. Acute glomerulonephritis symptoms include hematuria and hypertension.

Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions

71. Monitor blood glucose regularly in pediatric diabetes.
72. Hypothyroidism in infants presents as hypotonia, prolonged jaundice, poor feeding.
73. Phenylketonuria requires lifelong dietary phenylalanine restriction.

Hematologic Conditions

74. Iron supplementation necessary for breastfed infants after 6 months.
75. Sickle cell disease crisis triggered by dehydration, hypoxia, or infection.
76. Hemophilia manifests as prolonged bleeding after minor injuries.

Pediatric Pain Management

77. Adolescents may hide pain; proactively offer analgesics.
78. Pain scales suitable for age must be used for accurate assessment.
79. Non-pharmacological methods include distraction and relaxation techniques.

Psychosocial and Emotional Care

80. Prepare children appropriately for procedures to reduce anxiety.
81. Encourage parental involvement during hospitalization.
82. Maintain normal routines to provide comfort for hospitalized children.

Skin Conditions and Care

83. Diaper dermatitis prevention involves frequent diaper changes and barrier creams.
84. Eczema care includes avoiding irritants and regular moisturizing.
85. Impetigo requires topical or systemic antibiotics.

Additional Pediatric Nursing Bullets

86. Kawasaki disease symptoms: prolonged fever, strawberry tongue, conjunctivitis.
87. Monitor hearing and vision regularly for developmental screening.
88. Routine dental care starts with the eruption of the first tooth.
89. Toilet training typically begins around 18-24 months.
90. Avoid aspirin use in children due to Reye’s syndrome risk.
91. Prevent SIDS by placing infants on their backs to sleep.
92. Sun protection necessary due to sensitive pediatric skin.
93. Infant colic typically resolves by 3-4 months.
94. Lead poisoning requires environmental assessment and intervention.
95. Proper hydration is critical during episodes of diarrhea and vomiting.
96. Regular growth monitoring essential to detect early nutritional problems.
97. Provide education on age-specific developmental expectations.
98. Use pediatric scales and equipment to ensure accurate assessments.
99. Encourage breastfeeding for immune support and bonding.
100. Infants require regular tummy time to promote motor development.
101. Use child-friendly language when explaining procedures to reduce fear.