Nursing Assessment, Education, and Care of Extremely Premature Neonates with Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

The care of extremely premature neonates with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent challenge for pediatric nurses. It is important for nurses to have adequate knowledge of the normal postnatal changes in cardiovascular and pulmonary function to recognize any adverse symptoms. Nurses caring for these vulnerable neonates must have a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of a PDA in order to assess, plan, and implement patient-centered care.

Innovative techniques to decrease blood exposure and minimize interruptions in pediatric continuous renal replacement therapy.

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) allows gradual, precise removal of excess fluid and solutes. Special considerations are necessary for children who require CRRT because of their smaller circulating blood volumes and the potential for hemodynamic instability associated with the initiation of CRRT. In critically ill children, the CRRT circuit is often primed with blood rather than saline to prevent excessive hemodilution.