Nursing the Highly Dependent Infant or Child is anaccessible and clinical guide to the caring for the acutely illchild. It provides guidance on the specific nursing skills requiredto care for children and infants who require a 'stepup' level of care from those on the general paediatric wardor a 'step down' level of care on discharge fromneonatal or paediatric critical care facilities.The book follows a general systems approach, covering themessuch as respiratory care, renal care and cardiac care as well ascovering specialities such as neuro-trauma, burns andtransportation of the acutely ill infant or child. Other areasexplored include pain and sedation, monitoring and meeting thenutritional needs of the highly dependent child. Each chapterprovides an overview of relevant anatomy and physiology, guidanceon assessment and monitoring, and outlines effective nursing careand management guidance of common conditions encountered in acutechildren's care.

List of contributors.1 Introduction to paediatric high dependency care (Colin M.Way and Doreen Crawford).2 Physiological monitoring (Debra Teasdale).3 Respiratory (Caroline Haines).4 Cardiac (Sandra Batcheler and Michaela Dixon).5 Caring for a highly dependent child with fluid, electrolyteand nutritional requirements (Jill Cochrane, Doreen Crawford,Michaela Dixon and Janet Murphy).6 The child with acute neurological dysfunction (MichaelaDixon and Janet Murphy).7 Care of a child with a hepatic or metabolic disease (GrahamGordon, Doreen Crawford, Debra Teasdale and MichaelaDixon).8 Renal (Kathryn Summers and Debra Teasdale).9 Children who need management of pain and sedation (DoreenCrawford and Sarah Roberts).10 Care of the child with a burn injury (Jane Leaver andClare Thomas).11 Infection and infection control (Katie Anderson, Felix Hayand Doreen Crawford).12 Care of the child with haematological and oncologicalconditions (Karen Selwood, Michelle Wright and DoreenCrawford).13 Play for the infant and child in the high dependency unit(Tina Clegg).14 Transportation of the acutely ill child (Michaela Dixon,Marian Perrott and Gill West).15 Ongoing care and management (Janet Murphy, Doreen Crawfordand Michaela Dixon).Appendix 1.Appendix 2.Appendix 3.References, further reading and resources.Useful websites.Index.