ABSTRACT
Chapter overview 429 Causes of respiratory failure 430 Principles of ventilation 430 Principles of mechanical ventilation 430 Types of ventilation 432 Modes of ventilation 432 Assisting with tracheal tube intubation 434
Humidification 438 Nursing care of the child requiring mechanical 440
ventilation Suctioning 441 References 445 Further reading 446
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to accomplish the following: 1 Identify the reasons a child will require respiratory
support provided by mechanical ventilation 2 Understand the principles of mechanical
ventilation and the associated complications 3 Identify the differences between the most
commonly used modes of ventilation 4 List the equipment needed and the procedure to
follow when assisting with the intubation of a child
5 Discuss the importance of effective humidification 6 Discuss with rationale the recommended
techniques for undertaking endotracheal suctioning
7 Discuss the nursing priorities when caring for a child who is mechanically ventilated
airway and effective ventilatory support. One of the functions of an intensive care unit is to provide advanced respiratory support; therefore, an understanding of the indications and types of mechanical ventilation together with knowledge of the fundamental physiological mechanisms of ventilation is necessary for anyone working within this environment.
