The skills required by children's nurses are many and varied, and are undertaken in a variety of settings. Sick children are cared for at home, in children's units and hospitals, and sometimes in adult wards. In addition, children with disabilities may need nursing care while at special schools or in residential settings. This book provides a clinical manual of common practices. Each practice is research-based and discussed within a common framework which covers: Objectives; Rationale; Factors to note; Guidelines; Positioning; Equipment; Method; Special observations and possible complications; and References and further reading. The guidelines have been written specifically for children's nursing by contributors from well-known children's units. They are not simply adaptations from adult practices and therefore recognize the unique differences between adult and children's nursing. The introductory section covers common concepts and the control of infection. In addition, there are appendices on the use of play as a distraction, and on complementary therapies. All hospital and community nurses dealing with children, whether at home, in specialized units or in community settings, will find the book of great practical help.
