Report on Progress of Professional Portfolio

L-1-3: Demonstrate knowledge of common

pediatric diseases and medical conditions
Description of One
Significant Learning
Experience in this Course

In class we learned about many

pediatric diseases or medical
conditions that we will most
commonly see within our
nursing care, one in particular
being, asthma.

What I Learned

I learned that asthma is very

common in children and is
caused by the overproduction of
mucous, allergic response and
hyper reactive airways. The
main signs and symptoms of
asthma include, coughing and
wheezing. Although some
children outgrow their asthma
as they get older, others do not.
You can control asthma starting
with a PRN bronchodilator, if
still not controlled, a steroid will
be added. If after that the
asthma still is not controlled,
the doctor will add in a longacting bronchodilator. Status
asthmaticus (acute
exacerbation) can occur in
some that is unresponsive to
initial treatment with
bronchodilators where patients
will have chest tightness,
progressive shortness of breath,
dry coughs and wheezing which
immediate attention and
hospitalization is required to
correct the exacerbation.
Children and parents should be
taught how to properly use
MDIs and DPIs.

Proficiency Rating

In demonstrating knowledge of
common paediatric diseases
and medical conditions, I would
rate myself as good. I know all
the theory about these
disease/conditions by learning
them and studying them in
class, but have no had the
chance to apply my knowledge
to a real patient. I would know
the questions to ask and the
assessments to perform, but it
would not be seamless and
automatic, I would have to think
before performing them.

Why It was Meaningful/

Significant

Knowing the common diseases

and medical conditions in
pediatric patients is significant
because nurses are always
running into kids whether they
are their patients or children of
their patients. Knowing the
signs and symptoms of these
conditions is essential in case
they have to help a child
exhibiting critical signs of one
of these conditions, like status
asthmaticus. Knowing the steps
to take to help these children to
ensure they are not seriously
harmed from their condition is
something every nurse should
know in order to prevent serious
complications of theses
diseases.

How I will Apply this

Learning in Nursing Practice

I will apply knowing the

common pedaitric diseases and
medical conditions in my future
nursing practice by knowing the
signs and symptoms of these
conditions to ensure if I
encounter a child exhibiting
complications of their condition
I will know what exactly to do in

order to help them. I will know

the questions to ask and the
assessments to do if required.
Student Name: Kaitlin Young
Course: NFDN 2005
Date: October 13, 2015
Instructor/Tutor: Angela Goudman