Question

NURS 3421: Health Assessment Chapter 22: Musculoskeletal Case Study Name S.P. is a 3-year-old female toddler who presents to the pediatrician's office for a yearly well visit. The child complains that Subjective Data her leg hurts PMH of otitis media Immunizations: Up to date No medications No allergies Pain: 3/5 on pain scale Attends preschool Unable to recall injuring leg Objective Data Vital signs: T 37 P 92 R 18 BP 100/70 Lungs: clear in all fields Heart rate and rhythm regular Moving all extremities + Range of motion legs and arms Strength 5/5 in all extremities Questions ?did yonchilal boan sny bone? teyou a bout ens tma . What other questions should the nurse ask 2. What techniques are helpful to incorporate in assessing a patient in this age group? 3. What other assessments should the nurse make for this clinical presentation? 4. What are a few of the major differences in the musculoskeletal assessment of a child? 5. What should be included in the plan of care? 6. Based on the readings, what is the most likely cause of leg pain for this patient?

Answer 1

Answer: The nurse should intervene about the condition of the child and should inquire about the exact location where the sensation of pain occurs. The nurse should also ask parents about any past injury in leg or cramps, the trauma he has suffered in his childhood days. The nurse should incorporate the techniques in assessing a child as she should take the child’s behavioral cues into account such as where the pain occurs and its intensity and also reassessing pain after pain-relieving interventions have been implemented. Many other symptoms should be noticed suc as lethargy, fatigue, mood swings etc. The nurse should also assess about problem arise from the joint, tendon or muscle.

Musculoskeletal complaints in children are common. Children need more focused assessment as compared to adults. They are unable to recognize the type of pain they are suffering from, so it is necessary to intervene in the type and location of the pain such as the condition inflammatory or non-inflammatory, a pattern of affected areas etc.