Lesson 8: Assessment of Pediatric Trauma

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Unintentional and intentional injury and homicide is the leading cause of death and disability in children. A trauma nurse must understand that anatomical, physiological, and psychological differences between children and adults have important implications for the initial assessment and management of pediatric trauma victims.

The goal of initial trauma management in children, as in adults, is to rapidly assess the injuries, to determine management priorities, and to provide critical interventions. The trauma nurse should do an immediate primary survey (rapid primary evaluation), resuscitation of vital functions (e.g., airway, breathing, circulation, mentation), utilization of adjuncts to the primary survey and resuscitation, secondary survey (more comprehensive secondary assessment), continued post resuscitation monitoring with further resuscitation as needed, utilization of adjuncts to the secondary survey and transition to definitive care.

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand:

• Assessment of a pediatric patient 
• Common traumatic injuries
• Management of pediatric injuries

Please click on the “Materials” tab above to review any presentations and to download any handouts for your future use.

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