Kids Aren’t Just Small Adults: Pediatric Emergency Fundamentals
Children don’t respond to illness and injury the same way adults do, and the signs of trouble can be easy to miss. A fast heart rate, subtle breathing changes, or a quiet, irritable child may be the only clues before rapid deterioration. Knowing what is normal at each age, spotting the earliest red flags, and understanding how children compensate differently is critical for timely intervention. We'll highlight vital sign interpretation, rapid assessment tools, and the unique ways respiratory distress, shock, and cardiac arrest present in pediatric patients, giving nurses the insight to act quickly and confidently.
