Editing Pediatric Nursing (section)

== High-yield nursing priorities summary ==

* Airway and breathing come first; most pediatric arrests begin as respiratory failure.
* '''Hypotension is a late sign of shock.''' Act on tachycardia, delayed capillary refill, mottling, and decreasing level of consciousness.
* Never inspect the throat in suspected epiglottitis.
* Weigh in kilograms, calculate the safe range, and hold and clarify any dose outside it.
* Match the intervention to the developmental stage.
* Keep the caregiver present whenever possible; the caregiver is a therapeutic intervention, not a visitor.
* Report suspected maltreatment; suspicion is sufficient.