Erickson
At this stage babies learn to trust that their parents will meet their basic needs. If a child's basic needs aren't properly met at this age, he or she might grow up with a general mistrust of the world
Trust vs. Mistrust
Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of unintentional injury for this age group
Adolescence (13-20 years)
This stage is a period of transition into independence, career-building, and personal development; is a distinct phase characterized by exploration of identity, relationships, and life goals; experience peak health, strength, and reproductive capacity; habits such as diet, exercise, sleep patterns, and substance use can significantly impact future well-being; it is important to educate on modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for this age group to prevent future issues (managing stress, healthy diet, exercise, preventative screenings)
Young adult (late teens- mid to late 30s)
This should be patient-centered for the patient's specific health needs and concerns
Nursing Plan of Care (nursing care plan)
Vital signs, sweating, pallor, and EKG strips are all considered this type of data
Objective data
This is a widely used classification system that provides standardized nursing diagnoses to guide patient care.
NANDA-I
Planning requires what to be applied through deliberate decision making and problem solving.
Critical thinking
Throughout their school years, children continue to develop self-confidence through learning new things. If they are not encouraged and praised properly at this age, they may develop an inferiority complex
Industry vs. Inferiority
This age group has the highest level of energy expenditure and nutrient requirements; they exhibit the most growth in this stage than any other
Infant (birth to 12 months)
Perimenopause and menopause in women, causing symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and irregular menstrual cycles and symptoms in men, such as, a gradual decline in testosterone levels, which can result in fatigue, reduced libido, and muscle loss and can affect energy levels and overall health, requiring lifestyle adjustments such as diet, exercise, and medical consultations are common in this age group
Middle Adults (Mid 30s-late 60s)
This is what a nurse should assess for if an older adult patient presents disheveled, poor hygiene, hesitant to answer questions, and the caregiver stays with the patient while medical staff are in the room
Elder Abuse
When completing a nursing assessment, this style of question is best to gather as much data as possible
Open-ended questions
This is a comprehensive system that categorizes nursing actions and interventions to enhance patient outcomes.
Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC)
Rank the patients from highest priority to lowest priority based on who needs immediate intervention.
Patient A
A 76-year-old with a history of COPD, who is alert and oriented, but is using accessory muscles to breathe and has an SpO₂ of 88% on room air. He is due for his scheduled nebulizer treatment in 30 minutes.
Patient B
A 58-year-old postoperative day 1 after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Reports 8/10 abdominal pain and is requesting pain medication. Vitals are stable.
Patient C
A 32-year-old female admitted for hyperemesis gravidarum. She is nauseated and has had 3 episodes of vomiting since admission 2 hours ago. Her IV fluids are running, but she’s requesting antiemetics.
Patient D
A 45-year-old with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, who is waiting for discharge teaching. Blood glucose is 185 mg/dL. He is anxious to leave for work and is frequently pressing the call light.
Patient A – This patient shows signs of respiratory distress (low O₂ sat, use of accessory muscles). Airway and breathing take priority. He may deteriorate quickly without intervention, and his nebulizer treatment should be administered sooner if possible.
Patient C – Risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalance due to ongoing vomiting. Though not emergent, prompt intervention is needed to maintain hydration and prevent worsening metabolic imbalance, especially during pregnancy.
Patient B – Pain control is important for post-op patients, but this patient is hemodynamically stable and not at immediate risk for complications. Can be addressed after respiratory and fluid issues.
Patient D – This patient is stable, does not require urgent care, and discharge teaching can be delayed without causing harm. Emotional support and communication are important, but this is the lowest clinical urgency.
In the teenage years, children start to care about how they look to others. They start forming their own identity by experimenting with who they are. If a teenager is unable to properly develop an identity at this age, his or her role confusion will probably continue on into adulthood
Identity vs. Role Confusion
At this age group, they are refining their fine and gross motor skills and improving coordination; they explore often and safety is a number one priority and education point; it is not uncommon to see these children playing while sitting beside one another but not playing with one another.
Toddler (12-36 months)
Middle Adult (mid-30s-late 60s)
This is a good way to engage the older adult and gather data
Ask about life events
"I feel sick to my stomach", "I have a bad headache", "My back is bothering me", "My throat hurts" are all examples of what type of data
Subjective Data
This nursing diagnosis could be used for a patient diagnosed with pneumonia or other significant respiratory infection
Impaired gas exchange
This patient should be seen first based on the principles of ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation):
A. A 60-year-old with a history of hypertension complaining of a mild headache.
B. A 74-year-old post-op patient with a BP of 88/52 mmHg and reports feeling dizzy when standing.
C. A 50-year-old admitted for asthma exacerbation who is wheezing and has an SpO₂ of 91% on room air.
D. A 30-year-old with type 1 diabetes requesting a snack because their blood sugar is 72 mg/dL.
Patient C
This patient shows compromised breathing, placing them at the top of the priority list using the ABCs framework. While all patients need care, oxygenation takes precedence over hypotension, blood sugar, and non-urgent symptoms like headache.
This is the longest period of a human's life. It is the stage in which people are usually working and contributing to society in some way and perhaps raising their children. If a person does not find proper ways to be productive during this period, they will probably develop feelings of stagnation.
Generativity vs Stagnation
This age group continues with growth but at a slower, more steady rate; they begin to understand cause and effect relationships and they begin to engage in play with one another.
Preschooler (3-5 years)
Substance abuse, motor vehicle accidents, violence, fire-arm related injuries, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, unplanned pregnancies, and STIs are all risk factors for this age group
Young adults (late teens-mid to late 30s)
This is a state that can easily happen to an older adult, especially in cases of UTI
Delirium
In this step of the nursing process, the nurse sets goals of care and identifies desired outcomes.
Plan
This is the name for a problem that requires both medicine and nursing interventions to treat
Collaborative problems
Ordering of nursing diagnoses or patient problems to establish a preferential order for nursing interventions is an example of what
Prioritizing care
During early adulthood most people fall in love, get married and start building their own family. If a person is unable to develop intimacy with others at this age (whether through marriage or close friendships), they will probably develop feelings of isolation.
Intimacy vs. Isolation
In this age group, children experience consistent growth, with improvements in coordination, strength, and posture. Posture becomes more erect, reflecting musculoskeletal maturity and improved balance. These changes enable children to engage in sports, dance, and other physically demanding activities; they also begin to develop logical and concrete thinking; importance of peer groups begin to develop at this stage
School-aged children (6-12)
This significant health concern for this age group is pregnancy and the childbearing family. Ensuring proper prenatal care is essential for a healthy pregnancy, as it allows for early detection of complications, promotes maternal well-being, and provides guidance on fetal development. Regular checkups, screenings, and lifestyle modifications such as nutrition, exercise, and avoiding harmful substances contribute to positive pregnancy outcomes.
Young Adult
This is characterized by a chronic, progressive illness that effects the older adult in various ages
Dementia
Patient-centered interview, periodic assessments, and physical examination are all types of this
Assessments
These diagnoses identify undesirable human responses to existing health conditions or concerns. They are supported by defining characteristics (observable cues) and related factors (contributing causes). Example: Acute Pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient verbalization of pain (7/10), guarding behavior, and facial grimacing.
Problem-focused diagnoses
You are the charge nurse on a telemetry unit with four patients. Based on acuity and risk for rapid deterioration, this patient should be your highest priority:
A. A 68-year-old with chronic atrial fibrillation reporting palpitations; heart rate is irregular at 110 bpm.
B. A 54-year-old with chest tubes after a lobectomy who has 150 mL of serosanguinous drainage in the past hour.
C. A 72-year-old post-stroke patient with right-sided weakness and expressive aphasia, asking to use the restroom unassisted.
D. A 40-year-old with new-onset confusion and a sodium level of 118 mEq/L.
Patient D
This patient is showing signs of severe hyponatremia, which can lead to seizures, cerebral edema, or coma if not addressed quickly. New-onset confusion is a red flag indicating potential neurologic compromise. Although the other patients have needs requiring attention, none are as immediately life-threatening as a critically low sodium paired with neurologic changes.
A is stable in chronic AFib unless HR becomes dangerously high or symptoms worsen.
B has notable chest tube output but within expected post-op parameters (monitoring needed, but not emergent yet).
C is at high fall risk—important—but safety interventions can be delegated or implemented after emergent issues are stabilized.