17.2 The treatment of the behaviourally disturbed adolescent Kenneth Nunn Essentials 1 Emergency psychiatry is treating the underlying neurobehavioural processes NOT the cognitive content or psychiatric diagnosis. 2 When thinking…

23.4 Endotracheal tube and tracheal intubation Michelle Lin Background Endotracheal intubation (TI) provides a definitive airway. Insertion of a tube between the vocal cords and into the trachea allows optimal…

22.1 Envenomation Julian White Essentials 1 Snakebite is the most important form of envenoming globally, causing significant morbidity and mortality. 2 Envenoming can cause rapid and severe medical problems in…

23.10 Central and peripheral intravenous lines Judith Klein Background Most children who present to an emergency department do not need vascular access for drug or fluid therapy. Medications can usually…

23.6 The surgical airway Judith Klein Background The paediatric airway is distinct from that of the adult. The epiglottis is floppy and the larynx is shorter, more anterior, and more…

23.15 Pericardiocentesis Ronald A. Dieckmann Background The pumping heart is extremely sensitive to rapid accumulation of pericardial fluid. Small amounts of fluid acutely increase intrapericardial pressure and may significantly impede…

23.9 Removing and replacing a tracheostomy tube Ronald A. Dieckmann Background Children with tracheostomy tubes are increasingly common in out-of-hospital and emergency department settings. Laryngeal trauma, cervical cord injury, subglottic…

23.18 Lumbar puncture Ronald A. Dieckmann Background Lumbar puncture (LP) is a time-honoured method for obtaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic evaluation of suspected central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. LP…

23.13 Umbilical Vessel Cannulation Judith Klein Background During fetal life, two umbilical arteries transport nutrients and oxygen from the placenta and one umbilical vein helps dispose of fetal waste. During…