Unit 5 Discussion

Topic: Unconnected Disorders

This week we are covering many disorders that are not necessarily connected. Two symptoms that are very common in children are fever and pain. Depending on the child’s age, communication can be challenging, and you often must rely on the parent or caregiver for CC, HPI, ROS.

Consider the following:

When fever is the CC, you need to collect the following information:

What is the temp, and how was temp obtained (oral or axillary)?

What preceded the fever? When does the fever occur (afternoon, evening)?

• What has helped the fever? Tylenol? How much, how often?

Any associated symptoms?

• Any recent sick contacts?
• Health history? Immunizations?
• In addition to all routine exams on the PE, you want to make a note of sensorium. Is there nuchal rigidity? Appearance of distress?
• For pain: When, where, scale of 0–10 with 10 being worst? What makes it better or worse? Radiation? Localized or general? Tenderness to palpation? Preceding events/injuries? Associated symptoms?
• You would need all past medical history (e.g., if the child has had an appendectomy, you can rule out appendicitis).
• The exam should be focused on the anatomical area and any connected systems (i.e., sore throat pain you would want to examine ears, sinuses, lungs, etc.).

What types and location of pain would make you particularly concerned?

Focusing on the pediatric patient, select one of the topics below and discuss the current evidence-based recommendations by leading pediatric experts and professional organizations.

Focus your discussion on guidelines for pediatric healthcare providers prescribing medications to young pediatric patients.

You are expected to present your initial topic, including, but not limited to, the following items:

Pathophysiology

Physical exam findings

Differential diagnoses and rationale

Management plan to focus on pharmacotherapy agents based upon evidence-based practice guidelines

Topics:

Precocious puberty

Pediatric obesity

Hypothyroidism

Hyperthyroidism

• Growth hormone deficiency
• Constitutional growth delay
• Adrenal Insufficiency
• Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

Inborn errors of metabolism

Phenylketonuria

1. Dyslipidemia
2. Fever in children
3. Pain in children
4. Stages of dehydration
5. Management plans for dehydration