Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of children.

Cardiopulmonary arrest in children frequently has a respiratory cause. Bradycardia and asystole result from the hypoxia and acidosis of inadequate ventilation. Fortunately, respiratory failure presents warning signs which make early intervention and prevention of arrest a major focus for the nurse. When cardiopulmonary arrest does occur, the nurse must be able to provide the A-B-C's of basic life support, to participate actively in definitive treatment of the arrest, and to assess the child carefully during the post-resuscitation recovery stabilization period.