Care of the child supported on high frequency oscillatory ventilation.

High frequency oscillatory ventilation is a new mode of ventilatory support of acute respiratory failure in the pediatric population. Delineating the nursing care required of this fragile group of infants and children is challenging, because there is a paucity of published data and national clinical experience. The author reviews a management plan that was used to guide the care of over 40 patients, ranging in age from 1 months to 24 years, with acute respiratory failure supported on high frequency oscillatory ventilation. In total, seven patient-care problems and associated interventions are delineated.