Meningococcemia: recognizing and reducing complications in pediatric patients.

Meningococcemia is a true infectious emergency that requires tremendous skill and collaboration among health-care professionals to reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. Complications and sequelae may effect virtually every body system with meningococcal disease. The critical care nurse plays a crucial role in preventing and recognizing complications to reduce serious consequences, including respiratory distress syndrome, myocarditis, cardiovascular collapse, coagulopathies, major skin loss, and limb amputations.