Pediatrics. Specialty Courses for Medical Assistants

Transcription

1 Pediatrics Specialty Courses for Medical Assistants 7007 College Boulevard, Suite 385 Overland Park, Kansas t: f:

2 Pediatrics Specialty Certificate Course for Medical Assistants By Angela Elaine Klice, CMA (AAMA), MT (ASCP) Copyright 2008 by NCCT NCCT is continually refining and creating professional development products for all certified allied health professionals. We are committed to their success. This mini course was designed to help healthcare professionals understand and provide superior service to children. The course is divided into three chapters that are then sub-divided into different sections. There is an open-book quiz at the end of every chapter to help you assess your understanding of that chapter s material. Upon completing the three chapters, you can access this mini course s final examination online at NCCT s website, Proceed to the Testing section, and choose the CE Test Login option, and log in. Choose the Pediatrics for Medical Assistants Final Exam. Seventy per cent or better is considered a passing grade for this course. Upon passing the course s final exam you will receive a Specialty Certificate and a sticker from NCCT signifying that you have successfully completed this course. This sticker should be placed in your NCCT Professional Development Log Book. You will also receive five clock hours of continuing education credit and the course title will be placed on your NCCT Continuing Education Transcript. Acquiring new skills and pursing additional knowledge in your career field has always been the hallmark of a true professional. Read, learn, and most importantly, enjoy your chosen profession more. Your new knowledge will not only increase your competence and importance to your team, but will also increase your own self-assurance in your ability and work.

3 PEDIATRIC COMPETENCE COURSE OBJECTIVES The role of the medical assistant is to maintain a constant interest in the current medical information. We are in a society that evolves around the importance of information. It is the responsibility of all medical assistants to stay current and informative. We pass this information and attitude to our patients. We become the examples of good healthy lifestyles. Our conversation and interactions begin to reflect how we feel about our health and well being. After completing this unit, the pediatric medical assistant will have gained a basic understanding of the facts on these subjects. Since knowledge and prevention go hand and hand, we are embarking on preventative medicine for every patient we interact with during our day. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To gain a basic understanding of nutrition and the vital role it plays in this society 2. To be able to understand the basic vital components of food 3. Understand the Food Guide Pyramid and the importance of the basic food groups 4. To be aware and informed on the terminology used when discussing childhood obesity 5. To be aware of the causes of childhood obesity 6. To be able to identify the health risks resulting from childhood obesity 7. To know basic information regarding vaccines storage and handling 8. To be aware of the types of vaccines that is recommended for children 9. To gain general information regarding the immune system 10. Understanding the terminology related to the subject of vaccinations Disclaimer The writers for NCCT Competence Certificate Courses attempt to provide factual information based on literature review and current professional practice. However, NCCT does not guarantee that the information contained in these educational courses is free from all errors or omissions.

4 Chapter 1 WHAT IS HEALTHY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION? Understanding the basic facts of childhood nutrition, helps us serve our pediatric patient and their family with essential knowledge. Good nutrition is the basis for a healthy lifestyle, especially in children. The backbone of their adult lifestyle depends on healthy eating. In order to teach healthy living, we must understand the basic of good and healthy nutrition. Once we embrace this lifestyle, we pass the behavior on to our peers, and the next generation of children. By being familiar with the Food Guide Pyramid, we understand the value of healthy food groups and in what proportions. Section A Unit a Introduction In order to understand the nutritional needs of infants, children and adolescents, we must have a basic understanding of the chemicals of nutrition. These chemicals are known as the chemicals of life. These chemicals are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitamins and minerals. A knowledge of how these chemicals from our diet are used by the body, is important in determining how much of a food is needed for health, restoring body tissue during stress and disease. This will be the basic information to understand the concept of good nutrition. Section A Unit b What is Energy? Our bodies require a certain amount of fuel to operate effectively. The fuel we run on is energy which comes from calories. A source of energy is a source of calories. The number of calories we need, depending on height, weight, and age, are determined by the amount and type of physical activity. If you take in more calories than the body can use, the body converts the excess into body fat and stores it for future use. It takes from calories to produce one pound of body fat. The basal metabolic rate of a person is the amount of energy needed to run the body at rest. Added to that, the amount of energy needed to fuel normal daily activity and the calories needed to maintain healthy weight and growth. Section A Unit c The Chemicals of Life The chemicals of life could also be known as the vital components of food. These are the products that are produced by the food we ingest. Section A Unit c-1 Carbohydrates Some carbohydrates such as refined sugar, white rice and white flour, have been stripped of the nutritional vitamins and minerals. These low fiber carbohydrates are easy to overeat because they are not filling. Although starchy vegetables such as potatoes contain complex carbohydrates which are quickly broken down as sugar when carbohydrates are eaten, simple sugars released during digestion are also absorbed in the bloodstream. As the blood sugar rises, a hormone from the pancreas called insulin is released. It is necessary to move the sugar from the blood to the cells where the sugar is used as energy. Scientists have known that different foods, containing the same number of carbohydrates, don t cause the same rise in blood glucose levels and insulin levels. This is related to the type of carbohydrates in the food, the fiber content and other factors that affect the way carbohydrates are digested and absorbed.

5 Section A Unit c-2 Fiber Fiber moves food through the digestive system, fighting constipation. Everyone needs fiber as a part of their diet. It adds no calories, yet it makes us feel full. It may lower LDL cholesterol levels and help prevent diabetes and heart disease. Fiber is found in plants, fruits, vegetables and grains. Food made from plant products, such as bread and cereals, as well as fruits and vegetables, provide a source of fiber. Whole grain bread and cereals contain more fiber than white bread and white rice. Some of the best sources of dietary fiber are apples, oranges, berries, prunes, broccoli, carrots, green peas and beans. Section A Unit c-3 Protein Although carbohydrates provide fuel, protein helps build and repair essential parts of the body. Protein is found in red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, legumes and grains. The body breaks protein down into components called amino acids. These are used to build and maintain muscles, bones, body organs, the blood and the immune system. Protein is the key to healthy growth. This is why it is essential for children to consume enough protein on a regular basis. Protein from animal sources, including milk products, is called complete because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids. Vegetable protein is considered incomplete because it lacks one or more of the essential amino acids. Section A Unit c-4 Fats An adequate amount of fat is essential for growth and development. Fats fuel the body and aid in the absorption of some vitamins. They are the building blocks of hormones and are necessary for the insulating of nervous system tissue in the body. There is a disagreement among nutritional experts about the amount of fat that should be in a healthy diet. Fat has twice as many calories as protein or carbohydrates, but some experts think the low-fat revolution has gone too far, overlooking the complex nature of fats and how they work. Eating fats in a meal helps us feel more satisfied, so we may be less likely to overeat. Replacing fat calories with simple sugars in a low-fat diet can have a negative effect. Types of Fat Adequate fats does not mean unlimited -- too much can be a problem, as can the kind of fat you eat. The major types are: Unsaturated fats - found in plant foods and fish, these fats are seen as neutral or beneficial to heart health. Some of the healthiest include: monounsaturated fats found in olives, peanut, and canola oil and avocados. Polyunsaturated fats are found in most vegetable oil and omega- 3 fatty acids from oily fish such as salmon. Saturated Fats - are found in meat, lard, butter, cheese and milk. A high intake of saturated fats raises blood cholesterol levels in some people, and is a risk factor for heart disease.

6 Building a Professional Culture of Excellence As an independent certification agency, the National Center for Competency Testing is able to provide certification and continuing education products and services for individuals, schools, or programs irrespective of their allegiance to any specific professional organization or accreditor College Boulevard, Suite 385 Overland Park, Kansas t: f: