Articles of Interest

Respiratory rate: the neglected vital sign
The importance of an abnormal respiratory rate must be considered when assessing the unwell patient.Respiratory rate is the vital sign least often recorded and yet is a strong and significant predictor of serious illness.
Bronchiolitis: assessment and evidence-based management

Viral bronchiolitis is the commonest cause of lower respiratory tract infections in the under 12 months age group and the most frequent cause of admissions in the under 6 months of age group. It is a self limiting disease but can also be life threatening. Treatment is focused on maintaining hydration and oxygenation.
A comparison of the laryngeal mask airway with facemask and oropharyngeal airway for manual ventilation by critical
care nurses in children*
The laryngeal mask airway is included as a first line airway device during adult resuscitation by first
responders. However, there is little evidence for its role in paediatric resuscitation. This paper discusses the use of LMAs in paediatric cases versus oropharyngeal airways and facemasks.The critical care nurses were able to place the laryngeal mask airway and achieve successful ventilation in 82% of children compared to 70% using the facemask and oropharyngeal airway, although the difference was not statistically significant.