Module 2: Pediatrics

Module Authors

Stephanie Bowlin, EdD, PA-C
Dean, College of Allied Health Professions
Associate Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Education
Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA

Diana Lithgow, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA

Tina M. Meyer, PA-C
Clinical Consultant and Adjunct Professor
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA

Review Concepts

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe the recommended sequence and schedule for introducing solid foods to a developing child.
• List factors that affect growth and development.
• Compare and contrast breast milk and formula in terms of nutritional content and feeding preferences.
• List signs of nutritional deficiency in the developing child.
• List examples of motor and cognitive skills that you would expect to see in the developing child.
• Describe the components of a diagnostic workup of the child with suspected developmental delays.
• Identify milestones in the growth and development of primary teeth.
• Identify milestones in the growth and development of language.
• List signs of language delays in the developing child.
• Describe the components of a diagnostic workup of the child with suspected language delays.

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe general categories of prenatal risk.
• List biological factors that increase the risk of prenatal developmental problems.
• Identify clinical indicators in the diagnostic workup of a newborn with congenital abnormalities.
• Explain the importance of genetic screening and prenatal counseling for parents at risk.
• Outline the incidence and risk factors for pediatric substance abuse.
• Describe the diagnostic workup and clinical management of children who are substance abusers.
• Describe the epidemiology and clinical indicators for diagnosing pediatric eating disorders.
• Describe the clinical management of children with eating disorders.
• Describe the epidemiology, diagnostic workup, and clinical management of children exposed to domestic violence.
• Describe the epidemiology, diagnostic workup, and clinical management of children who are victims of physical or sexual abuse.
• State the legal responsibilities of the primary care provider with respect to cases of suspected child abuse or sexual abuse.

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• List screening tests and other assessment priorities for the neonatal nursery visit and other well child visits
• State general guidelines for the immunization of pediatric patients.
• Describe the epidemiology and schedule of pediatric immunizations for the following pathogens:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Hepatitis B
  • Rubeola and rubella
  • Varicella
  • Polio
• Describe common side effects of and contraindications for pediatric immunizations

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, diagnostic workup, and clinical management of pediatric patients who present with colic.
• Differentiate the types of vomiting based on clinical presentation.
• List medical conditions that commonly cause vomiting.
• Describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of vomiting.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients who present with vomiting.
• Describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of acute versus chronic diarrhea.
• List causative organisms and medical conditions that are commonly responsible for diarrhea.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients who present with diarrhea.

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of otitis media.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with otitis media.
• Compare and contrast the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation of routine and persistent nosebleeds.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with nosebleeds.
• Describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of strabismus.
• List the 5 classifications of strabismus.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with strabismus.

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis and possible etiologies of childhood allergy.
• List differential diagnoses for childhood allergy
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with allergies
• Describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis and possible etiologies of childhood asthma
• Compare and contrast the clinical presentation of mild, moderate and severe childhood asthma
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup of pediatric patients with asthma
• Describe short-term and long-term clinical management of pediatric patients with mild and severe asthma
• Describe pharmacological interventions for mild, moderate, and severe asthma

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation of childhood anemia.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with iron-deficiency anemia.
• Describe the epidemiology and pathogenesis of heart murmurs.
• Differentiate the etiology and clinical presentation of innocent and pathologic heart murmurs
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with either pathologic or innocent heart murmurs.
• Describe the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms of specific UTIs such as pyelonephritis, cystitis, and urethritis.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with urinary tract infections.

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation of jaundice.
• Differentiate diagnostic indicators of jaundice and breast milk hyperbilirubinemia.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with jaundice.
• Describe the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation of tics.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with tics.
• Describe the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical presentation of acne vulgaris.
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with acne.
• Describe the stepwise pharmacotherapeutic treatment of acne.

By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:

• Explain how Salter-Harris growth plate injuries can affect pediatric patients.
• Describe the system used to classify Salter-Harris injuries.
• Describe common clinical findings and recommended treatment for Salter-Harris growth plate injuries.
• Describe the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical presentation of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Outline procedures for the diagnostic workup and clinical management of pediatric patients with ADHD.

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