This article provides insights into the experiences of families with a child with congenital heart disease. These are clarified by descriptions of the most common defects and their surgery. The way in which the condition affects each family, from pregnancy onwards, is unique to them, but informed children's nurses can do much to help.

This article reviews a study in which distal forearm fractures in children were treated with a below elbow semi-rigid cast, with instructions for removal at home. Patient satisfaction surveys established that children and parents were pleased they did not have to return to hospital to have the cast removed, and most patients returned to normal activity immediately or within one week after removing the plaster at home. Although semi-rigid casts are slightly more expensive to apply than standard plaster, the authors believe this is outweighed by the advantages of patients not having to return to the fracture clinic. Hospital clinics were significantly less busy, allowing them to create slots for new referrals.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that nurses believe they should not say sorry when an adverse event or act of negligence has occurred in case they are sued or reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. However, this article argues that saying sorry in such circumstances is not an admission of liability but rather a standard to which all nurses should aspire.

The Platt report (Ministry of Health 1959) recommended that hospitals provide for parents to stay with sick children. This review, of how hospitals have or have not followed this guidance, assesses the literature and includes insights into research on the theory of attachment. The authors conclude that, although parents are commonly to be found on wards with sick children, this is not often systematically encouraged or even understood. However, recent initiatives to improve communication between staff and the parents of children admitted to hospital are encouraging.

This article summarises the signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis, the advantages of continuous positive airway pressure and outlines the skills nurses need to use it. Early warning signs and deterioration are discussed and the importance of monitoring is looked at.

There is anecdotal evidence that a claim in negligence, or 'negligence' for short, is something that many nurses are fearful of and they worry that parents will sue them when something goes wrong. The aim of this article is to outline what negligence is from a legal perspective and to illustrate why, for most nurses, negligence is unlikely to be something that will affect their professional lives.

Identifying the causation and development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) helps in understanding the signs, symptoms, care and complications of cerebral oedema. Its management requires skilled nursing and involves fluid therapy, intravenous insulin, correction of potassium imbalance and strict vigilance for potentially lethal complications. This article describes the pathophysiology of DKA, identifies its causes, and discusses management and prevention strategies. While the prognosis for DKA is good, it is associated with cerebral oedema, a potentially devastating complication, and this will also be discussed.