Conduct of the nursing team in cardiorspiratory arrest in children*

Objective: to describe the initial conduct of nursing technicians and assistants in assisting children in cardiopulmonary arrest. Method: this is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study with nursing technicians and assistants from the Pediatrics sector of a university hospital. Data was collected with a self-applying form. SPSS 21.0 was used for descriptive data analysis. Results: it was analyzed that the knowledge of the 38 participants about the initial conduct regarding cardiopulmonary arrest included the identification of the absence of respiratory movements (90%). Following, it was reported “call for help” (84%) and, when evaluated the ratio of correct answers in the conduct to be performed, 86% of professionals partially agreed the descriptions of actions. Conclusion: it is clear that the study participants have knowledge about the initial conducts in assisting cardiopulmonary arrest, however, the detection of this situation in children covers other actions that were not mentioned by most participants. It indicates the need for permanent actions carried out with the team of nursing technicians and assistants to update knowledge to enable quick decisions and responses in cases of cardiac arrest. Descriptors: Nursing Assistants; Licensed Practical Nurses; Heart Arrest; Child, Hospitalized; Nursing; Knowledge.