Pediatric Critical Care

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is where some of the sickest children in pediatric hospitals require to be for most appropriate care. Patient ages, disease processes, and acuity are extremely varied for children with critical illnesses. To help prepare for a PICU rotation, this chapter will present several fundamental concepts including systems-based presentations, shock and vasoactive medications, sedation and analgesia, and PICU procedures. This will serve as a primer, though deeper learning will occur through individual patient care experiences.