NREMT EMT 6: Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology - Life Span Development, Neonate, Infant, Toddler, School-Age, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric

Life Span Development Study Guide

What This Is

Life span development refers to the stages of human growth and development from birth to old age. Understanding these stages is crucial in emergency medical services (EMS) as it helps EMTs assess and treat patients effectively. Think of it like a puzzle: each stage has unique characteristics that can affect a patient's condition and response to treatment.

Key Steps / Core Facts

• Neonate (0-28 days): Born within the last month, vulnerable to infection and respiratory distress. (Check for respiratory rate, temperature, and apnea.)
  • Normal respiratory rate: 30-60 breaths/min
  • Normal temperature: 97-100°F (36-38°C)
• Infant (1-12 months): Prone to respiratory and cardiac issues. (Assess for cyanosis, apnea, and bradycardia.)
  • Normal heart rate: 100-160 beats/min
  • Normal respiratory rate: 30-60 breaths/min
• Toddler (1-3 years): May experience respiratory distress, cardiac issues, or trauma. (Check for respiratory rate, temperature, and trauma signs.)
  • Normal respiratory rate: 20-40 breaths/min
  • Normal temperature: 97-100°F (36-38°C)
• School-age (4-12 years): May experience respiratory distress, cardiac issues, or trauma. (Assess for respiratory rate, temperature, and trauma signs.)
  • Normal respiratory rate: 20-30 breaths/min
  • Normal temperature: 97-100°F (36-38°C)
• Adolescent (13-19 years): May experience respiratory distress, cardiac issues, or trauma. (Check for respiratory rate, temperature, and trauma signs.)
  • Normal respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths/min
  • Normal temperature: 97-100°F (36-38°C)
• Adult (20-64 years): May experience cardiac issues, respiratory distress, or trauma. (Assess for respiratory rate, temperature, and trauma signs.)
  • Normal respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths/min
  • Normal temperature: 97-100°F (36-38°C)
• Geriatric (65+ years): May experience cardiac issues, respiratory distress, or trauma. (Check for respiratory rate, temperature, and trauma signs.)
  • Normal respiratory rate: 10-20 breaths/min
  • Normal temperature: 97-100°F (36-38°C)

What Laypeople Can Do

• If someone collapses, first check for danger (oncoming traffic, fire). Then shout and tap their shoulder.
• If someone is experiencing a seizure, clear the area of objects and turn them onto their side.
• If someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest, call 911 and start CPR (30:2 ratio).
• If someone is experiencing a respiratory distress, sit them up and provide oxygen if available.
• If someone is experiencing a head injury, keep them still and call 911.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Not assessing the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) in the correct order.
  • Fix: Always assess ABCs in the order of Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
• Mistake: Not using the correct ratio for CPR (30:2).
  • Fix: Use the 30:2 ratio for adult CPR.
• Mistake: Not checking for trauma signs in patients with respiratory distress.
  • Fix: Always check for trauma signs in patients with respiratory distress.
• Mistake: Not using the correct sequence for assessment (OPQRSTI).
  • Fix: Use the OPQRSTI sequence for assessment: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Time, and Investigation.

Quick Practice Scenarios

1. A 2-year-old child is experiencing respiratory distress. What should you do first?

A 2-year-old child experiencing respiratory distress should be sat up and provided oxygen if available.

1. A 70-year-old patient is experiencing cardiac arrest. What should you do first?

Start CPR with a 30:2 ratio.

1. A 10-year-old patient is experiencing a head injury. What should you do first?

Keep them still and call 911.

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• Normal respiratory rate for infants: 30-60 breaths/min
• Normal heart rate for neonates: 100-160 beats/min
• Normal temperature for toddlers: 97-100°F (36-38°C)
• OPQRSTI sequence for assessment
• 30:2 ratio for adult CPR
• Agonal breathing is NOT normal breathing – start CPR
• Cyanosis is a sign of respiratory distress
• Bradycardia is a sign of cardiac issues
• Apnea is a sign of respiratory distress