Erickson staging for adult with CP

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ICU and EMS.

I'm a second year, first semester ADN student attempting to complete my last nursing care plan of the semester!! Up to this point in my nursing school career, my patients have landed in the correct Erickson stage according to their age. Now I've been challenged! I cared for a 47 year old woman with cerebral palsy and mental retardation. She was non verbal, and could not perform any ADL's for herself. I'm not sure how to classify her. She appeared to trust the me and the other nurses, so maybe she successfully advanced through the infancy stage of trust vs mistrust. She was, however, by no means interactive with her environment, which makes me think that she is in the toddler stage of autonomy vs shame and doubt. Any ideas??

:hrnsmlys:Happy Thanksgiving!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Since developmentally it appears she is an infant, I would stick to trust vs mistrust. At this time it looks obvious that she will never advance through the second stage.

By assessing her as a toddler, she will definitely fall short, though she has obtained the highest developmental level she is Traditionally trust vs mistrust lasts the first year of growth, and it sounds like your pt is in that developmental age group.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Check the doctor's H&P. He should have classified her mental age which would make it very simple for you.

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