|
|
|
|
|
|
A health care team that is expert in the care of very sick children is here to take care of your child. The first sight of your child in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be upsetting and confusing. Your child may not recognize you and will be laying in bed, connected to machines with lines and tubes, and may be given medications to stay still. This is a difficult and stressful period for you and your family. You may find this pamphlet helpful in understanding what is happening in the ICU and what you may be able to do to help your child.
|
 |
|
When Your Child is Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
A guide to understanding what is happening to your child in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Each of the wires and tubes you see is there to help the doctors and nurses care for your child. Here are some of the wires and tubes that your child may have (their medical names are in parentheses):
Brain: brain pressure monitor (ICP monitor), brain fluid drain (EVD)
Mouth:breathing tube (ET-tube, endotracheal tube), feeding tube (OG, OD, OJ)
Nose: feeding (NG, ND, NJ), breathing (nasotracheal tube), suction tubes
Face: oxygen mask, oxygen tubes in the nose (nasal cannula or nasal "prongs"), pressure mask (BiPAP)
Sides: lung drain of fluid or air (chest tube, "pigtail" catheter)
Front: heart pressure monitors (RA, CVP, LA, PA lines), heart fluid drain (pericardial catheter), electrical wires to the heart (pacemaker wires)
Side: feeding tube or "button" (Gtube, GJ-tube, J-tube)
Side: fluid drains (JP drain)
Groin:urine tube (Foley catheter)
Entire body:heart and breathing monitor wires (cardiorespiratory [CR] monitor)
Head, hands, arms, feet: fluids and medication tubes (IV)
Neck, collarbone, groin: deep IV (central line)
Arm, leg:blood pressure cuff (BP cuff)
Wrist side-arm, ankle, foot, groin: constant blood pressure monitor (aline)
Finger, toe, ear, nose, forehead: blood oxygen monitor (pulse ox, "sat" monitor) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
