This book provides content required to deliver the best care for critically ill or injured children. It reflects the increasing acuity in all inpatient departments and the fact that these children are cared for in a variety of settings, including many specialty units in hospitals and in the emergency department, cath lab, diagnostic testing, and more. Pediatric acute and critical care nurses find themselves handling not only their patients, but care of their families and management of an interprofessional team of caregivers. With emphasis on evidence-based care and professionalism, this essential resource captures the professional role of the pediatric critical care nurse and the nurse’s contributions to the process of continuous quality improvement. The book comprises of ten chapters. Chapter one discusses caring for critically ill children and their families. Chapters two through nine are systems focused (pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurologic, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematologic, and immunologic systems). Each chapter reviews developmental anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and defining characteristics of neonatal and pediatric disorders, clinical assessment, pharmacology, monitoring, diagnostic testing, pain and palliative care management, and a multidisciplinary approach to the plan of care. Each health problem is discussed along the continuum of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Synergy Model for Patient Care and family-centered care with integration of ethical, legal, and environmental issues. Chapter ten discusses professional issues and includes content on quality, safety, communication, teamwork, work environment, and personal wellness.