Pediatric Intensive Care Elective

Course Overview

The goal of this elective is to acquaint the student with the approach to critically ill pediatric patients by providing experience in the management of life-threatening respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic, and other conditions. Students will further develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills in a supportive, high-paced learning environment.

Learn about the Pediatric Critical Care Division.

Learning Objectives

• Identify pediatric patients with shock when they present. Discuss the common causes of shock in the pediatric patient, their pathophysiology, and the initial treatments for children in shock.
• Identify pediatric patients with respiratory failure when they present. Discuss the common causes of respiratory failure in the pediatric patient, their pathophysiology, and the initial treatments for children with respiratory failure.
• Identify neurologic disease that requires intensive care therapies in pediatric patients. Discuss the common neurologic crises that occur in the pediatric patient, their pathophysiology, and their initial treatments.
• Understand the principles of positive pressure mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients. Be able to differentiate between pressure and volume modes of mechanical ventilation.
• Be able to analyze blood gas results; understand acid-base disorders
• Describe the effects of critical pediatric illness on parents and families

Schedule of Activities

Students will function as members of the care team in the PICU. They will be responsible for the direct care (under close supervision) of one or more patients. They will round with the care team and provide care during the remainder of the day. Each student will present their patients at afternoon signout.

Required Reading

Resource reading material is available in the PICU. Readings will be patient-focused, and will concentrate on making clear evidenced-based approaches to the care of patients. The two major texts in Pediatric Critical Care are: Pediatric Critical Care (Fuhrman and Zimmerman) and Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care (Rogers). These books are available in the intensive care unit.

Student Evaluations

To receive a grade of pass, students must participate in the PICU program and demonstrate a beginning understanding of pediatric critical illness.