Reflection of B.P Scenario

Being a parent and believing your child is not developing as they should, based on all
the timetables accessible online, can be frightening. According to the CDC, early
developmental delay screening is crucial so that therapy can start as soon as possible (2021).
This is relevant in the case of B.P. because his parents brought him in as soon as they could
after becoming concerned about his small stature. Parents will likely be the first to notice if
something seems off with their child. Still, we as caregivers are crucial in determining
whether the child is experiencing a developmental delay, even if it is just in stature.
It is crucial to assess the child’s development at each well-child visit frequently and to
compare the results using a method that has been validated (CDC, 2021). When a child is
brought in for an exam by a parent, we should get a history of their development, watch how
they interact, and identify risks and protective factors. If a development defect is detected, we
should refer the child to a specialist (CDC, 2021). Since parents rely on us to supply them
with answers to their questions, we must educate them so they can spot any changes in their
child’s growth so that we can evaluate and take care of their issues.
Understanding Children’s Short Stature Article

Short stature is one of the most common reasons a primary care pediatrician sends a
child to a pediatric endocrinologist (Polidori et al., 2020). In order to start treatment or to find
a cause for the low stature, it is essential to recognize short stature as soon as feasible. Short
stature can be classified as primary, secondary, or idiopathic. A height that is fewer than two
standard deviations from the mean height for the child’s age and height is considered short
stature (Polidori et al., 2020). A thorough physical examination and thorough history-taking
are required to ascertain whether a child has short stature or is on the right growth curve.
There are new tests that enable quicker diagnosis of issues that may be contributing to short

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stature. In the end, we want early detection so that short stature in maturity can be avoided or
so that the child does experience short stature in adulthood.
There are times when an underlying illness or condition may cause low stature, but
there are also situations with no real cause or explanation. The child’s growth status can be
adjusted through medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to avoid short stature.
Identification of short stature is necessary right away so that therapy may start.
FNP Addressing the Barriers to Healthcare

The first obstacle that will most certainly affect B.P. is his education level, limiting
his knowledge of obtaining high-quality healthcare and appropriate care. While it is crucial to
remember that the child should be a part of their care, it will ultimately be the parents’ job to
ensure that the child receives appropriate and high-quality care. For instance, B.P.’s parents
brought him in for an evaluation after realizing that he was likely unaware of his diminutive
stature compared to his classmates. This is a perfect illustration of how his level of education
prevents him from being able to seek care. The paternalistic approach doctors take to
medicine in healthcare has to give way to one that is more patient-centered and gives patients
more agency (Pelidori et al., 2018). B.P. will be involved in this issue, but the patient-
centered approach will strongly emphasize his parents. The FNP addressed the patient’s
education level by ensuring that he received appropriate care and quality care from his
parents. By doing this, the barrier is broken, and B.P.’s parents are now in charge instead of
him.
The next obstacle is that B.P. is only seven years old, unable to self-transport to the
appropriate location for treatment, and unaware of where high-quality care is available.
Additionally, he is just seven years old, which means that his memory is still developing and
that he will frequently forget vital details, making it impossible for him to give healthcare
experts accurate information. In healthcare, being culturally competent is a crucial evidence-

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based strategy (Belintxon et al., 2020). Additionally, team-based care and excellent patient
interactions will help remove these obstacles (Belintxon et al., 2020). B.P. is merely a child
when it comes to these two obstacles. Thus, the parent’s job is to seek their aid and be aware
of any developmental delays. Through collaboration with medical professionals and
education, parents can join the team and assist in determining whether their kid has a
developmental delay.

Conclusion

As practicing nurses, we want to ensure we take parents’ concerns seriously when a
child comes in with concerns about a potential developmental delay and undergoes a
thorough physical examination with a health history. In most cases, small height results from
a genetic condition, so family history questions are crucial. According to Polidori et al.
(2020), while analyzing a child to see whether differences exist, we should compare them to
their parents. This could help us establish whether this is normal or indicative of a hereditary
problem. When questioning the parents and child, we must pose the right questions. To avoid
delays in diagnosing developmental delays, healthcare providers, parents, and kids must
collaborate.

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References

Belintxon, M., McGee, P., Pumar-Mendez, M.J., Lopez-Dicastillo, O. (2020). Encounters
between children’s nurses and culturally diverse parents in primary care. Nursing &
Health Sciences, 22(2). doi: 10.1111/nhs.12683.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Developmental monitoring and
screening for health professionals.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/screening-hcp.html
Polidori, N., Castorani, V., Mohn, A., & Chiarelli, F. (2020). Deciphering short stature in
children. Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, 25(2), 69–79.
https://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2040064.032