Pediatric Emergencies Chapter 30
Pediatric Emergencies• List and describe the anatomical and physiological differences between
children and adults
• List and describe six stages of growth and development
• List the normal range of vital signs for each pediatric age group
• Understand and be able to incorporate communication tips and techniques for
assessing and interacting with a pediatric patient
• Describe the signs and symptoms of respiratory distress and failure in a child
• List and describe the signs/symptoms of various pediatric disorders
• List the most common cause of cardiac arrest in pediatric patients
• List common causes of seizures in pediatric patients
• List five indicators of potential child abuse and neglect
• Define sudden infant death syndrome
• Describe and demonstrate how to assess a pediatric patient, using the
pediatric assessment triangle
• Describe and demonstrate how to manage common pediatric illnesses and
injuries
Anatomy and Physiology
• Children are not miniature adults!!!!!
• Most important differences:
• Size of airway
• Mechanism of breathing
• A child’s head is proportionally larger and
heavier
• Bones and ligaments are softer/more flexible
Human Growth and Development
• 6 Stages
• The stage a pediatric patient is in will often
influence how you treat them
Newborn Stage
• Begins at birth and spans first 28
days of life
Infancy
• Months 2 through 12
Toddler Stage
• 12 months to 36 months
Preschool Period
• Ages 3-5 years
School Age Period
• 6 years to 12 years
Adolescence
• Ages 13 - 18
Common Pediatric Illnesses and Injuries
• Airway Problems
– Croup
– Tonsillitis
– Foreign-Body Airway Obstruction
– Bronchitis
– Pneumonia
– Asthma
– Epiglottitis
Common Pediatric Illnesses and Injuries
• Respiratory Failure and Cardiac Arrest
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Meningitis
• Poisoning
Common Pediatric Illnesses and Injuries
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS)
• Trauma
• Burns and Electrocutions
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• Shock
Assessment
• Follow same steps as for adults
• Modify assessment based on age and level
of development of the patient
• Remember: heart and respiration rate may
change rapidly, metabolic compensation
may make child seem stable when they
aren’t
• Gain consent for anyone under 18
Assessment
• Helpful methods of assessing a child:
– Pediatric Assessment Triangle
– Asking questions such as:
• Is the child active and moving about or instad sits
still and quiet?
• Does the child make eye contact?
• Does the child appear irritable or agitated?
• Does the child respond to the caregivers voice?
Assessment • Monitor ABCDs frequently
• For small children information in the
SAMPLE will most likely come from
parent/caregiver
• Approach children slowly, be friendly,
explain everything and make them
feel comfortable