Children in Intensive Care. A Survival Guide

1 All about resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary assessment, The initial approach to basic life support and life support algorithms, Early treatment of ventricular tachycardia, Intraosseous access, Use of the defibrillator, Shock, Useful mnemonics, Newborn resuscitation, Management of a blocked tracheostomy, Needle thoracocentesis, Management of anaphylaxis

2 Airway and breathing: Including common respiratory problems and blood gas interpretation 

Upper respiratory tract, Lower respiratory tract, Pneumonia, Paediatric acute respiratory distress, Acid–base balance and interpretation of blood gases, Systematic review of chest X-ray, Means and methods of oxygen delivery, Intubation, Ventilation and definition of terms, Indications for assisted ventilation, Modes of ventilation, High-frequency ventilation, Capnography, Use of inhaled nitric oxide 

3 Cardiac care

The normal heart, The normal electrocardiogram (ECG), Cardiac output, Invasive intravascular pressure monitoring, Top tips for post-operative cardiac management, Important post-operative problems, Removal of a left atrial line, Classification of congenital heart disease, Blocked BT shunt, Arrhythmias, ECMO 

4 The kidneys and renal replacement

Key concepts, New biomarker, Acute kidney injury, Peritoneal dialysis (PD), Continuous veno-venous haemofiltration, Continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration (CVVHD), Haemodialysis, Fluids for CVVH/CVVHD, Anticoagulation, Plasma exchange, Renal disease, Hypertensive crisis 

5 Liver function and failure  

The jaundiced baby, Biliary atresia, Acute liver failure, Portal hypertension, Sengstaken tube, Liver transplant Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), Hepatopulmonary syndrome 

6 Neurology – Assessment and management

Guidelines for neurological assessment, The cranial nerves, Identification and management of raised intracranial pressure, Intracranial Pressure monitoring, Common diagnostic tests, Diabetes insipidus, Seizures, Dystonia, Demyelinating conditions, Acute disseminated encephalitis (ADEM), Transverse myelitis, Myasthenia gravis, Meningitis, Posterior reversible, leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) 

7 Oncology emergency

Caring for an oncology patient in PICU – general principles, Central venous access, Chemotherapy – common side effects, Oncology emergencies, Oncology terminology, Specialist oncology drugs, Care of PICC line, Accessing a Port-A-Cath 

8 Fluids and nutrition

Guidelines, Enteral feeding, Types of feeding and products available, Special diets for special kids, Total parenteral nutrition, Insensible loss, Burns 

9 Blood and electrolytes: normal values, special tests and transfusion

Normal values: full blood count, Transfusion components, Major haemorrhage, Transfusion Compatibility, RhD Antigens, Special requirements – Irradiated, CMV or Hepatitis, E-negative irradiated blood products 

10 Drugs – inotropes, vasodilators, sedatives, analgesics and muscle relaxants

Resuscitation drugs, Drugs for intubation, Quick reference guide for calculating infusions, Inotropic and chronotropic drugs, Drugs commonly used intravenous infusions, Therapeutic drug monitoring 

11 Pain and sedation  

Assessing pain and sedation, Treating children in pain, Red flags, Pain summary

12 Handy hints for various conditions

Sepsis, Necrotising fasciitis, Neonatal collapse, Sickle cell crisis, Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, Burns, Care of child post scoliosis surgery 

13 Transport of critically ill infants and children – intra and inter-hospital transport  

Transport team composition, Time critical transfer – Neurosurgical emergency and acute abdomen, Awaiting the paediatric critical care transport team – What can you do to help? Arrival of the paediatric critical care transport team, Before transfer, In transit, Looking after yourself, ABCDE Transfer guidance 

14 Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding children policies and training, Types of child abuse, Looked after children (LAC), Female genital mutilation, Human trafficking, Conclusion 

15 Death of a child 

Expected death in PICU, Palliative care, The nurse’s role, The doctor’s role, Organ donation, Brain stem death diagnosis, Investigations that may be required prior to organ donation, Clinical management guidelines of the organ donor, Religion 

16 Child development 

Normal child development, Children’s developmental concepts of pain 

17 Quick reference to syndromes

Abbreviations

Children in Intensive Care fulfils a unique role in supporting clinical staff during the day-to-day management of the sick child. Presented in quick reference format, and in plain English, the book offers a unique guide to the wide variety of situations that a practitioner is likely to encounter during daily practice. Rich with reference tables, algorithms, artworks and ‘Alert’ boxes, the book offers a wealth of information which ranges from physiology to drug dosage calculation, drug compatibility lists, reference ranges, and X-ray interpretation. New chapters include oncologic emergencies, pain management and sedation, together with the latest information on the management of sepsis, the collapsed child, and care of the child following spinal surgery.

Key Features

• Information presented in quick reference format, with accompanying reference tables, to facilitate on-the-spot usage
• Advanced Life Support Group algorithms provide safe and easy-to-follow protocols to the management of emergency situations
• Contains input from a broad range of paediatric specialists – intensivists, anaesthetists, haematologists, oncologists, air ambulance physicians and retrieval nurses, pharmacists, specialist dieticians, and respiratory physiotherapists – to ensure full coverage and accuracy of information
• Contains helpful ‘Quick Guide’ and ‘Warning’ boxes to provide key information at a glance, while helpful mnemonics assist with learning
• Contains chapters on normal child development, safe-guarding children and young people, and patient transport
• Perfect for use on the wards, theatres, high-dependency units and intensive care units as well as during retrieval and A&E
• Ideal for newcomers and experienced staff alike, whether they be junior doctors or nursing staff