1
Introduction to Child
Health and Pediatric
Nursing
KEY TERMS
assent
“do not
resuscitate”
(DNR) order
emancipated
minor
informed consent
mature minor
minor
morbidity
mortality
nursing process
standard of care
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the chapter, you will be able to:
1. Compare the past definitions of health and illness to the current definitions.
2. Identify the key milestones in the history of child health.
3. Discuss different methods of measuring child health.
4. Discuss the philosophy of pediatric nursing care.
5. Identify the major roles and functions of pediatric nursing, including the scope
of practice and the professional standards for pediatric nurses.
6. Explain the components of the nursing process as they relate to nursing
practice for children and their families.
7. Identify ethical concepts related to providing nursing care to children and their
families.
8. Describe legal issues related to caring for children and their families.
Isabelle Romano is a 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. She was
born at 28 weeks’ gestation and is currently admitted to the hospi-
tal due to difficulty breathing secondary to pneumonia. Her parents
are very active in her care. Isabelle lives at home with her parents
and two brothers, Sergio and Tito. Consider how your role as a
nurse can affect this family.
WOW
Words of Wisdom
To love children means to
see them, respect them,
and listen to them.
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