MECHANICAL VENTILATION: WEANING IN CHILDREN

Course overview

Weaning a child from mechanical ventilation is a moderately invasive procedure that involves the gradual reduction of respiratory support with the goal of extubation, or removal of the endotracheal tube. During a weaning trial, the patient is evaluated for his/her ability to sustain spontaneous breathing with reduced ventilatory assistance for a predetermined period of time, in order to determine the patient’s readiness for extubation. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of mechanical ventilator weaning in children, including indications and contraindications for weaning, laboratory and diagnostic tests used to assess readiness for weaning, and nursing considerations. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.