Category Critical Care

Mechanical Ventilation for Severe Asthma

“Wheezing” is a prominent complaint in the Ped ED and it has been a frequent topic of the PedEM Morsels.  We have covered a wide variety of Asthma management aspects: from initial therapies (MDIs vs Nebs) to potential hydration issues;…

Damage Control Resuscitation

  Damage Control Resuscitation has been the hot topic to discuss in the adult trauma bays.  Naturally, this conversation has been also heard more commonly during pediatric trauma resuscitations.  What is it and does it really apply to kids?  Great…

Anaphylaxis

  Sitting next to my son, who is rather red-cheeked with his current fever, consuming a herculean amount of cartoons, I was reminded of one of my favorite shows when I was young: GI JOE.  “Knowing is half the battle,”…

Neonatal Leukemia

We have discussed numerous common neonatal issues (ex, Analgesia, Umbilical Granuloma, Neonatal Tooth, Hyperbilirubinemia).  Many of us have learned that neonates are challenging and demand respect.  Even the most proficient practitioner will be apprehensive of the sick neonate, given that there are…

Optimize Chest Compressions

  On occasion, I get the honor of being to “asked” to help with my daughter’s homework. It isn’t common, fortunately, as I don’t recall middle school algebra that well, but recently I was emphasizing the fact that you cannot expect…

Intussusception & Altered Mental Status

Evaluating the child with altered mental status can be very challenging.  As with adults, there are a myriad of potential etiologies and it can be difficult to prioritize the order of the evaluation.  Does this patient have an intracranial process…

Palpation of Pulse for Cardiac Arrest

One of my personal goals is to make my life easier.  Yes, that is easier said than done; particularly given my proclivity for working in the Emergency Department.  The ED is not an easy place to work many times, particularly when…