[azzurra29]

Hi there,

I'm still in nursing school and just finished my Pedi/OB clinicals. While I learned a lot I just can't get Pedi VS to stick in my head! It's frustrating and I think part of my problem is dealing with the different age groups.

Do any of you new or seasoned ER Nurses have a special way/rhyme or reason or method of generally recalling PEDI vital sign parameters? Since nursing is huge on assessment this to me seems pretty important.

I hate relying on my PDA--any of your comments would GREATLY BE APPRECIATED!!!

[wickedrn]

I just finished my Peds rotation too. The whole VS thing has me going to. During clinicals I had a 10 month old with a BP that I thought was WNL for that age. I was way wrong. I got reemed for not reporting a BP that was in the lower range. (she was ok)
As for remembering I think its just a matter of repitition. Are you planning on a career in peds? Or are you thinking ahead of the NCLEX and what you might need to know? Your PDA can be your best friend

[goats'r'us]

make up a card with all the parameters on it, and hand it on your id badge, so all you need to do is flip it over and look.

[wooh]

^^^Yup, I carry a little booklet with me at work now that I'm in peds. Whenever something looks out of whack (after a while, you may not remember the exact numbers, but you'll get a feel for what's ok and what's not), I just flip to the right page.

[azzurra29]

Thanks for all the replies.

mom2bears: I'm thinking more along the lines of working in the ED so that's why I need to brush up my Pedi VS skills.

[onlyanrn]

Rote memoriozation worked for me. Also, most large ers have posters with pediatric vitals, tube sizes, and the liek posted in their trauma bays.

[vamedic4]

Just remember...if it SEEMS too low, or too high, it probably is and it warrants letting someone know.
I routinely see infants with pressures of 60/20 and this is normal for them but I notify EVERY TIME just in case we have to reassess and vary the treatment plan.

More experience and great memorization/assessment skills will go a long way in your feeling more comfortable with little ones.

Good luck to you.

vamedic4
Time and a half tonight!!!!! Hooo ahhh!!

[rnurse2b]

I also have a parameters sheet that I re-sized and added it to the back of my name badge for those times when I'm just not sure. After a while, you just know. Always remember to assess the patient first and then the numbers and you can always re-check when you feel it may be needed.