Topic 12 DQ 2-2

Please respond to the following post, with your opinion add citation and references.

There are similarities and differences in the physical assessment of a child from that of an adult. The nurse must be aware of these stages of development and the expected findings so that correct nursing process and education can be implemented. The physical assessment of a child focuses on growth and development, meeting milestones, cognitive development, development of gross and fine motor skills, feeding and nutrition. Adults are at the Erikson’s level of Intimacy versus Isolation or Generativity versus despair (GCU, 2018). Cognitive development is at its peak in adulthood with declining in physical health. Physical maturation is complete, sensory, motor skills and reproductive health are also at their peak or declining. In adults vision becomes dim so they are assessed for need of glasses, the onset of cataracts and glaucoma sets in, while in children they too are assessed for glasses if there is an abnormality, but their vision should be efficient and bright. In children, hair growth is full, while in adults, hair begins to grey and gets thin, adults skin wrinkles and become paper thin but children skin should be firm and glowing in health. Immune system to fight illness declines in the adult as illness sets in. Hearing loss occurs in adulthood and become common warranting the need for hearing aids. Adults experience menopause and the symptoms that comes with it. During assessment of a child the nurse would have to be enthusiastic, engage the child with an active role, use color and be clear and consistent with explanation, while involving and educating the parent. For the adult the nurse would ask open ended questions to encourage engagements and educate according to learning readiness and needs.

Reference

Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Health assessment: Foundations for effective practice.Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs434vn/health-assessment…