Pediatric Nursing
What you must understand
Pediatric care is built on developmental stages, weight-based dosing, and age-specific normal values. Know that infants are obligate nose-breathers, that respiratory distress in children shows as retractions, nasal flaring, and grunting, and that dehydration signs differ by age (sunken fontanelle in infants, decreased tears, poor capillary refill).
Traps in questions
- Dose calculation by weight. Always confirm the prescription against the child's current weight; a stem giving weight in kilograms and a dose in mg/kg invites an arithmetic check.
- Fluid resuscitation in children uses boluses of isotonic fluid (commonly 10–20 mL/kg), reassessed after each bolus - never a single large adult-style bolus.
- Developmentally appropriate communication - use play and simple language with a preschooler; explain in concrete terms to school-age children; respect privacy for adolescents.
- Vaccination schedule questions test timing, not brand names.
Worked rule of thumb
For pediatric emergencies, remember airway first and anticipate rapid decompensation. Children compensate well and then crash suddenly; a rising respiratory rate with retractions is late, not early, warning. When calculating a dose, double-check units (mg vs mcg, mL vs L) before answering.
Family-centred principle
Parents are partners in care. Questions reward involving the parent in comfort and education while maintaining the child's safety and dignity.