CHAPTER 15 — NURSING CARE OF THE
CHILD WITH AN INFECTION
(Deep breakdown — keep this as your study sheet)
1. HOW CHILDREN HANDLE
INFECTION (IMMUNITY) — pp.414–415
What’s actually happening in the body
When a pathogen enters:
1. Body recognizes foreign invader
2. Inflammation starts
3. White blood cells attack
4. Antibodies form
5. Memory immunity develops
WHY kids get sick easier
Neonates
Immune system = borrowed from mom
They rely on maternal IgG antibodies that:
, • cross placenta during 3rd trimester
• fade after birth (lowest at 2–3 months)
So newborns:
• don’t localize infection
• become systemic fast
Pediatric immune differences
Age Immune ability What infection looks like
Newborn Almost none Subtle, sepsis risk
Infant Weak inflammatory response Low fever
Toddler Exposure stage Frequent infections
School age Stronger immunity Localized
Teen Adult-like STI risk increases
HUGE TEST POINT
Newborns don’t show infection normally
Instead of fever → they show:
• hypothermia
• poor feeding
• apnea
• irritability
• limp
NCLEX rule:
A sick newborn looks tired, not sick
,2. INFECTIOUS PROCESS & WHITE
BLOOD CELLS — p.415
What each WBC means clinically
Cell Meaning Think
Neutrophils Bacterial infection pus
Lymphocytes Viral infection cold/flu
Monocytes Chronic infection cleanup TB
Eosinophils Parasites/allergy worms/asthma
Basophils Histamine release inflammation
NCLEX interpretation
High neutrophils → antibiotics
High lymphocytes → supportive care
3. FEVER — WHY THE BODY DOES IT
Fever is NOT the enemy
Hypothalamus raises set point → immune system works faster
Benefits:
• slows bacterial growth
• improves WBC movement
• improves antibody production
, WHY kids seize
Not the temperature —
the RAPID rise
Febrile seizure age: 6mo–5yr
Critical temperature rules
Age Fever concern
< 3 months ANY fever emergency
3–36 months watch behavior
> 3 years symptom based
ANTIPYRETICS (VERY TESTED)
Acetaminophen
• liver metabolism
• safe infants
• toxicity → liver failure
Ibuprofen
• kidney metabolism
• avoid dehydration
• 6 months only
CHILD WITH AN INFECTION
(Deep breakdown — keep this as your study sheet)
1. HOW CHILDREN HANDLE
INFECTION (IMMUNITY) — pp.414–415
What’s actually happening in the body
When a pathogen enters:
1. Body recognizes foreign invader
2. Inflammation starts
3. White blood cells attack
4. Antibodies form
5. Memory immunity develops
WHY kids get sick easier
Neonates
Immune system = borrowed from mom
They rely on maternal IgG antibodies that:
, • cross placenta during 3rd trimester
• fade after birth (lowest at 2–3 months)
So newborns:
• don’t localize infection
• become systemic fast
Pediatric immune differences
Age Immune ability What infection looks like
Newborn Almost none Subtle, sepsis risk
Infant Weak inflammatory response Low fever
Toddler Exposure stage Frequent infections
School age Stronger immunity Localized
Teen Adult-like STI risk increases
HUGE TEST POINT
Newborns don’t show infection normally
Instead of fever → they show:
• hypothermia
• poor feeding
• apnea
• irritability
• limp
NCLEX rule:
A sick newborn looks tired, not sick
,2. INFECTIOUS PROCESS & WHITE
BLOOD CELLS — p.415
What each WBC means clinically
Cell Meaning Think
Neutrophils Bacterial infection pus
Lymphocytes Viral infection cold/flu
Monocytes Chronic infection cleanup TB
Eosinophils Parasites/allergy worms/asthma
Basophils Histamine release inflammation
NCLEX interpretation
High neutrophils → antibiotics
High lymphocytes → supportive care
3. FEVER — WHY THE BODY DOES IT
Fever is NOT the enemy
Hypothalamus raises set point → immune system works faster
Benefits:
• slows bacterial growth
• improves WBC movement
• improves antibody production
, WHY kids seize
Not the temperature —
the RAPID rise
Febrile seizure age: 6mo–5yr
Critical temperature rules
Age Fever concern
< 3 months ANY fever emergency
3–36 months watch behavior
> 3 years symptom based
ANTIPYRETICS (VERY TESTED)
Acetaminophen
• liver metabolism
• safe infants
• toxicity → liver failure
Ibuprofen
• kidney metabolism
• avoid dehydration
• 6 months only
