chapter+30


 * Glossary Terms for chapter 30**

[|**altered level of consciousness**] ** A mental state in which patients may be unresponsive, combative, or confused, may thrash about, or may drift into and out of an alert state; also called altered mental status. ** [|**epiglottitis**] ** An infectious disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause upper airway obstruction. ** [|**xiphoid process**] ** The narrow, cartilaginous lower tip of the sternum. **
 * [|adolescents] Children between 12 and 18 years of age. **
 * [|apnea] Absence of breathing. **
 * [|bradycardia] A heart rate of less than 60 beats/min in children or less than 80 beats/min in infants. **
 * [|child abuse] **Any improper or excessive action that injures or otherwise harms a child or infant; includes neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
 * [|croup] An infectious disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children. **
 * [|dehydration] A state in which fluid losses are greater than fluid intake into the body, leading to shock and death if untreated **
 * [|febrile seizures] Convulsions that result from sudden high fevers, particularly in children. **
 * [|hyperventilation] Rapid or deep breathing that lowers blood carbon dioxide levels below normal. **
 * [|infancy] The first year of life. **
 * [|neonatal] The first month after birth. **
 * [|pediatrics] **A specialized medical practice devoted to the care of the young.
 * [|pneumatic antishock garment (PASG)] An inflatable device that covers the legs and abdomen; used to splint the lower extremities or pelvis, or to control bleeding in the lower extremities, pelvis, or abdominal cavity. **
 * [|postictal state] **Period following a seizure that lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status. Also called postictal period.
 * [|preschool-age] Children between 3 to 6 years of age. **
 * [|rales] **A crackling breath sound caused by the flow of air through liquid in the lungs; a sign of lower airway obstruction.
 * [|school-age] Children between 6 and 12 years of age. **
 * [|shaken baby syndrome] **Bleeding within the head and damage to the cervical spine of an infant who has been intentionally and forcibly shaken; a form of child abuse.** **
 * [|shock] **A condition that develops when the circulatory system is not able to deliver sufficient blood to body organs, resulting in organ failure and eventual death if untreated.
 * [|status epilepticus]** **The term used to describe a continuous seizure, or multiple seizures without a return to consciousness, for 30 minutes or more.** **[|stridor] **A harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sound that is often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction; may sound like crowing and be audible without a stethoscope.
 * [|toddler] The period following infancy until 3 years of age. **
 * [|tonic-clonic seizure] A seizure that features rhythmic back-and-forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness. **
 * [|tripod position] **An upright position where the patient leans forward onto outstretched arms and thrusts the head and chin slightly forward to keep the airway open.
 * [|wheezing]** **A whistling breath sound caused by air traveling through narrowed air passages within the bronchioles; a sign of lower airway obstruction.**