In hospitals, oxygen is the most frequently administered medication to pediatric in-patients. Too much oxygen in arterial blood is not a natural occurrence, consequently hyperoxia can be caused by healthcare providers. The aim of this scoping study was to synthesize evidence that could contribute to safe and appropriate oxygen treatment in children 0-3 years of age. The method was in line with Arksey and O'Malley's framework, and 11 research articles regarding oxygen treatment were included. The main results are presented as three key findings: 1) overview of assessing the need for oxygen based on the use of pulse oximetry, 2) overview of oxygen treatment, and 3) overview of the need for educational intervention. In conclusion, there is a shortage of research literature to guide nurses in assessment of oxygen requirements, and administration of oxygen treatment in critically ill children. Consensus and guidelines are needed, as there are variations in practice regarding oxygen treatment.

The aim of this study was to describe nurses’ opinions regarding assessments of oxygen requirements and which modes of cognition they used about oxygen treatment in ventilated children aged 0–3 years. The method was survey design with descriptive statistics. The sample included 90 nurses from intensive care units within all university hospitals in Norway. The questionnaire covered use of physiological, clinical, and technical observations in assessments, and the Nursing Decision-Making Instrument was used to map the mode of cognition. Respondents perceived they used many of the physiological criteria except for the haemoglobin–oxygen dissociation curve, pulse and blood pressure. Most respondents used clinical and technical criteria to assess oxygen needs, but more than half would exceed 10% oxygen at each regulation. They considered written guidelines to be necessary. A majority demonstrated a flexible use of analytical and intuitive modes of cognition in the decision-making processes. The results indicate that assessment of children’s need for oxygen may be based on insufficient information, and written guidelines should be developed.

<p>M&oslash;tet med en kreftrammet, alvorlig dement pasient i sykehjem ga et eksempel p&aring; sykepleiernes utfordringer til &aring; bidra med god smertelindring. Gjennomgang av tidligere forskning viser at alvorlig demente er mer utsatt for ikke &aring; f&aring; optimal smertelindring enn andre i samme medisinske situasjon. Bruken av smertelindrende medikamenter b&aring;de nasjonalt og internasjonalt er mye lavere enn til ikke demente, til tross for at demente opplever like mye smerter som andre. Det synes &aring; v&aelig;re behov for mer systematisk kartlegging av smerter hos demente i sykehjem, og det er n&aring; fors&oslash;kt utviklet evalueringsverkt&oslash;y som kan brukes til dette. Selv om det m&aring; tas hensyn til at eldres reaksjoner p&aring; legemidler endres og krever forsiktighet, s&aring; er det verken faglig forsvarlig eller akseptabelt at demente ikke f&aring;r fullgod smertelindring ved kreftsykdom. Sykepleierne i sykehjem har et stort ansvar for &aring; bidra til at ogs&aring; alvorlig demente f&aring;r n&oslash;dvendig lindring for sine kreftsmerter.</p>