Failure to Thrive (FTT)
SKINNY Reasoning
Ben Potter, 4 months old
Primary Concept
Nutrition
Interrelated Concepts (In order of emphasis)
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Clinical Judgment
Patient Education
NCLEX Client Need Categories Percentage of Items from Each Covered in
Category/Subcategory Case Study
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care 17-23%
Safety and Infection Control 9-15%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%
Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort 6-12%
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 12-18%
Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
Physiological Adaptation 11-17%
© 2018 Keith
Rischer/www.KeithRN.com
, SKINNY Reasoning
Part I: Recognizing RELEVANT Clinical Data
History of Present Problem:
Ben Potter is a 4-month-old male presented to the pediatrician's office for a routine well-child exam. Ben is accompanied
by his mother, Pamela, a 19-year-old single mother. Pamela appears visibly tired and reports that Ben has been getting up
more frequently in the night, crying but refusing to eat. Pamela reports that over the past three weeks, Ben often refuses
his formula feedings and reports episodes of gagging, arching his back, and frequent crying during and immediately
following formula feedings. Pamela reports that she has interpreted this behavior as a sign that she is overfeeding Ben and
has started watering down his Similac.
According to his chart, Pamela has never breastfed Ben. In addition, the following growth measurements are noted:
Date: Weight: Length: Head Circumference:
April 22 (birth) 8 lbs 1 oz (3.7kg) 19 inches (48.3 cm) 35.5 cm
May 2 7 lbs 9 oz (3.4 kg) 19 inches (48.3 cm) 36 cm
June 19 10 lbs 8 oz (4.8 kg) 20.5 inches (52.1 cm) 38.8 cm
August 20 (current) 12 lbs 4 oz (5.6 kg) 22 inches (55.9 cm) 42.3 cm
Using the CDC chart, what percentile is Ben with weight and length?
Weight:
o 10th percentile
Length
o <5th percentile
Important FYI: There is no consensus of a definition of FTT in literature (Kirkland et al 2015)but these authors
define as when weight is less than 2nd percentile for gestation corrected age and sex when plotted out on growth chart
Some sources describe when WT less than 5%
Ben is thin and pale in appearance. Skin folds noted around his buttocks. No respiratory or neurological concerns noted.
Reflexes and muscle tone within normal limits. Ben is alert, minimally interactive, and does not make eye contact with his
mother. Ben's anterior fontanel is flat and open. Pamela leaves the room during the assessment to make a telephone call
and smoke a cigarette. Ben's pediatrician makes the decision to transport Ben to the local Children's Hospital to admit
him for observation. You are the nurse assigned to care for Ben.
What would be reasons for a hospital admission based on data collected to this point?
(NOTE: According to Hockenberry & Wilson, (2015), in cases such as this, hospitalization is recommended for:
Evidence of severe acute malnutrition
Suspected child abuse or neglect
Significant dehydration
Caretaker substance abuse or psychosis
Infection and/or suspected comorbidities
Personal/Social History:
Ben lives with his 19-year-old mother (Pamela) and maternal grandmother (Susan) in Susan's small two-bedroom mobile
home. Susan is 45 years old, is obese, and suffers from poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and smokes 2
packs per day. Susan watches Ben during the day while Pamela works part-time at a local gas station. Susan also cares for
Ben three or four nights per week while Pamela spends her nights drinking and socializing with men and other adults at
the local bar. Pamela became pregnant with Ben following a brief relationship with a 52-year-old man named Ryan. Ryan
is not involved in Ben or Pamela's life and is currently in prison for assault.
Past Medical History (PMH):
Pamela gave birth to Ben via spontaneous vaginal delivery at 37 weeks.
Prenatal care received after 12 weeks due to lack of insurance.
© 2018 Keith
Rischer/www.KeithRN.com
SKINNY Reasoning
Ben Potter, 4 months old
Primary Concept
Nutrition
Interrelated Concepts (In order of emphasis)
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Clinical Judgment
Patient Education
NCLEX Client Need Categories Percentage of Items from Each Covered in
Category/Subcategory Case Study
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care 17-23%
Safety and Infection Control 9-15%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%
Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort 6-12%
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 12-18%
Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
Physiological Adaptation 11-17%
© 2018 Keith
Rischer/www.KeithRN.com
, SKINNY Reasoning
Part I: Recognizing RELEVANT Clinical Data
History of Present Problem:
Ben Potter is a 4-month-old male presented to the pediatrician's office for a routine well-child exam. Ben is accompanied
by his mother, Pamela, a 19-year-old single mother. Pamela appears visibly tired and reports that Ben has been getting up
more frequently in the night, crying but refusing to eat. Pamela reports that over the past three weeks, Ben often refuses
his formula feedings and reports episodes of gagging, arching his back, and frequent crying during and immediately
following formula feedings. Pamela reports that she has interpreted this behavior as a sign that she is overfeeding Ben and
has started watering down his Similac.
According to his chart, Pamela has never breastfed Ben. In addition, the following growth measurements are noted:
Date: Weight: Length: Head Circumference:
April 22 (birth) 8 lbs 1 oz (3.7kg) 19 inches (48.3 cm) 35.5 cm
May 2 7 lbs 9 oz (3.4 kg) 19 inches (48.3 cm) 36 cm
June 19 10 lbs 8 oz (4.8 kg) 20.5 inches (52.1 cm) 38.8 cm
August 20 (current) 12 lbs 4 oz (5.6 kg) 22 inches (55.9 cm) 42.3 cm
Using the CDC chart, what percentile is Ben with weight and length?
Weight:
o 10th percentile
Length
o <5th percentile
Important FYI: There is no consensus of a definition of FTT in literature (Kirkland et al 2015)but these authors
define as when weight is less than 2nd percentile for gestation corrected age and sex when plotted out on growth chart
Some sources describe when WT less than 5%
Ben is thin and pale in appearance. Skin folds noted around his buttocks. No respiratory or neurological concerns noted.
Reflexes and muscle tone within normal limits. Ben is alert, minimally interactive, and does not make eye contact with his
mother. Ben's anterior fontanel is flat and open. Pamela leaves the room during the assessment to make a telephone call
and smoke a cigarette. Ben's pediatrician makes the decision to transport Ben to the local Children's Hospital to admit
him for observation. You are the nurse assigned to care for Ben.
What would be reasons for a hospital admission based on data collected to this point?
(NOTE: According to Hockenberry & Wilson, (2015), in cases such as this, hospitalization is recommended for:
Evidence of severe acute malnutrition
Suspected child abuse or neglect
Significant dehydration
Caretaker substance abuse or psychosis
Infection and/or suspected comorbidities
Personal/Social History:
Ben lives with his 19-year-old mother (Pamela) and maternal grandmother (Susan) in Susan's small two-bedroom mobile
home. Susan is 45 years old, is obese, and suffers from poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and smokes 2
packs per day. Susan watches Ben during the day while Pamela works part-time at a local gas station. Susan also cares for
Ben three or four nights per week while Pamela spends her nights drinking and socializing with men and other adults at
the local bar. Pamela became pregnant with Ben following a brief relationship with a 52-year-old man named Ryan. Ryan
is not involved in Ben or Pamela's life and is currently in prison for assault.
Past Medical History (PMH):
Pamela gave birth to Ben via spontaneous vaginal delivery at 37 weeks.
Prenatal care received after 12 weeks due to lack of insurance.
© 2018 Keith
Rischer/www.KeithRN.com
