Basic Nursing: Foundations of

Skills & Concepts Chapter 14

THE LIFE CYCLE

Basic Concepts of Growth and Development

Growth - measurable changes in the physical size of the body and its parts.

Development - behavioral changes in functional abilities and skills.

Maturation - the process of becoming full grown.

Development occurs continuouslyThroughout the life span.

Remember!

There are no absolute rules in predicting the exact rate of development for any given individual.

Factors Influencing Growth andDevelopment

Heredity. Life Experiences. Health Status. Cultural Expectations.

Major Developmental Theories

Physiological Dimension. Psychosocial Dimension. Cognitive Dimension. Moral Dimension. Spiritual Dimension.

Psychosocial Dimension:Self-Concept

Self-concept is one’s perception of oneself, including body image, self-esteem and ideal self. Characteristics of positive self-help include: Self-confidence. Willingness to take risks. Ability to receive criticism without becoming defensive. Ability to adapt effectively to stressors. Innovative problem-solving skills.

Psychosocial Dimension:Intrapsychic Theory

Focuses on unconscious processes. Feelings, needs, conflicts, and drives are

considered to be motivators of behavior, learning, and development.

Key theorists include Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Robert Havighurst.

Psychosocial Dimension:Intrapersonal Theory

Theorizes that relationships with others influence how one’s personality develops.

Key theorist is Harry Stack Sullivan.

Cognitive Dimension

Key theorist is Jean Piaget, who enumerates four phases of intellectual development: Sensorimotor Preoperational Concrete operations Formal operations

Moral Dimension

The moral dimension consists of a person’s value system, which helps differentiate right from wrong.

Moral maturity is the ability to independently decide for oneself what is “right.”

Key theorist is Lawrence Kohlberg, who describes six stages of moral development.

Spiritual Dimension

The spiritual dimension is characterized by a sense of personal meaning.

Spirituality refers to relationships with one’s self, with others, and with a higher power or divine source.

Key theorist is J.W. Fowler, who outlines six distinct stages of faith development.

Holistic Framework for Nursing

Nursing’s holistic perspective recognizes the progression of individual development across the life span.

11 Developmental Stages ofThe Life Cycle

Prenatal Neonatal Infant Toddler Preschooler School-age

Preadolescent Adolescent Young adult Middle adult Older adult

Prenatal Period

Nursing Implications To teach new mothers

how to relax thereby promoting a supportive environment for developing embryo and fetus.

Wellness Promotion Proper Nutrition. Screening. Counseling. Promoting use of

alternative modalities to reduce stress.

Neonatal Period

Nursing Implications In first few hours after

birth, nurse should encourage parents to cuddle the newborn, explain the neonate’s interactive abilities, and encourage mutual eye contact.

Wellness Promotion Assessing neonate’s

physiological status. Providing warm

environment. Monitoring nutritional

status. Conducting screening

tests.

Infancy

Nursing Implications Focus on safety,

prevention of infection, and teaching parents to incorporate child into the family.

Wellness Promotion Teaching growth and

development concepts. Teaching benefits of

breastfeeding. Advocating

administration of necessary immunizations.

Toddler Period

Nursing Implications Awareness of child’s

anxiety with strangers. Play is effective tool for

building rapport with children of this age.

Wellness Promotion Teaching proper hygiene

to prevent infections. Nutritional counseling.

Preschool Period

Nursing Implications Play is a tool that can be

used by nurses to alleviate fear and anxiety in children of this age.

Wellness Promotion Teaching health

education. Keeping immunization

records.

School-Age Period

Nursing Implications & Wellness Promotion

Cautioning against accidents. Health promotion teaching.

Preadolescence

Nursing Implications Sensitivity. Nonjudgmental

approach. Attention to body

language.

Wellness Promotion Information about

lifestyle: nutrition, rest. Teaching about

physiological changes occurring, including growth spurt and sexual change.

Adolescence

Nursing Implications Need to encourage

adolescents to share their health concerns with parents, but must honor adolescent’s choice to withhold sensitive information.

Wellness Promotion Health education

regarding hygiene, nutrition, sex education, developmental changes, and substance abuse prevention.

Young Adulthood

Nursing Implications This age group takes

health for granted. Nurses must recognize the dangers in that.

Wellness Promotion Fostering avoidance of

accidents, injury, and violence.

Advocating development of health-promoting behaviors.

Middle Adulthood

Nursing Implications Health more fragile.

Nurses can help identify risk factors and provide early intervention.

Wellness Promotion Encourage clients to

assume more responsibility for their own health.

Encourage influenza and pneumococcal immunizations.

Older Adulthood

Nursing Implications To help older adults

achieve a sense of well-being.

Encourage family members to participate in positive life review with elderly client.

Wellness Promotion Aim for functional

independence. Promote regular physical

activity, a positive mental attitude, and developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles.