Physiologic mechanisms and diagnostic approach to acid–base disorders
Metabolic acidosis Metabolic acidosis is defined as a clinical process that leads to a decreased blood pH (acidemia) and a decreased HCO 3 level. It is caused by a gain…
CRITICAL CARE
Introduction to blood-gas tests and blood-gas physiology
Introduction and history of blood gases The term “blood gas” refers to the parameters pH, p CO 2 , and p O 2 measured in blood. Note that the little…
Board review questions
Chapter 1 : History of pediatric critical care medicine 1. Treatment for which of the following disease entities was not an important trigger in the early development of distinct, full-time,…
Molecular mechanisms of drug actions
Pearls • Receptors play a central role in determining the nature of the pharmacologic effects produced by a drug. • Most drugs and endogenous compounds (e.g., hormones, neurotransmitters) exert their…
Airway management
Pearls • Safe management of the critically ill child’s airway requires a comprehensive understanding of the anatomic and physiologic changes that occur from birth through adolescence, advance recognition of congenital…
Anesthesia effects on organ systems
Pearls • The anesthetic care of ICU patients is an extension of medical and anesthetic management principles employed in the operating room. • Anesthesiologists caring for critically ill children must…
Traumatic brain injury
Pearls • Complete and rapid physiologic resuscitation is essential to the initial treatment of infants and children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). • There are many age- and injury…
Pediatric abdominal trauma
Pearls • In pediatric trauma, as with all trauma patients, the first priority remains the ABCs: airway, breathing, circulation. • Intubation in children can be challenging and is best done…
Child abuse
Pearls • Infants and children with inflicted head or other traumatic injuries often appear in emergency departments with signs and symptoms of trauma or conditions suspicious of being of medical…
Principles of drug disposition
Pearls • Studies of drug disposition in critically ill children are limited. • Effective pharmacologic therapeutic interventions should focus on choosing the right drug, right time, right dose, right duration,…