NUR 230 Pediatric Pharmacology Drug Guide 2026 Galen College
1. Which site is preferred for intramuscular injections in infants younger than 12
months?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal muscle
D. Ventrogluteal muscle
Answer: B
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants due to its
well-developed muscle mass and lack of major nerves or blood vessels.
2. When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old child, how should the nurse pull
the pinna?
A. Down and back
B. Straight back
C. Up and back
D. Down and forward
Answer: A
Rationale: For children under age 3, the pinna is pulled down and back to straighten the
ear canal. For children over 3, it is pulled up and back.
,3. What is the most accurate method for calculating pediatric medication
dosages?
A. Age in years
B. Weight in pounds
C. Body Surface Area (BSA)
D. Fried’s Rule
Answer: C
Rationale: Body Surface Area (BSA) is considered the most accurate method because it
accounts for both height and weight, reflecting metabolic activity.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to an infant. At what heart rate
should the dose be withheld?
A. Below 110 bpm
B. Below 90 bpm
C. Below 70 bpm
D. Below 60 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: In infants, Digoxin is typically withheld if the apical pulse is less than 90 bpm.
For older children, the cutoff is usually 70 bpm.
5. What is the primary reason why neonates are at a higher risk for drug
toxicity?
A. Immature liver and kidney function
B. Increased glomerular filtration rate
C. Faster gastric emptying
D. Lower percentage of total body water
Answer: A
Rationale: Neonates have immature liver enzymes and renal function, which slows drug
metabolism and excretion, leading to potential accumulation and toxicity.
, 6. Which medication is used as an antidote for Acetaminophen overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Flumazenil
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: D
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, helping to
prevent liver damage by restoring glutathione levels.
7. What is a common side effect of Albuterol in pediatric patients?
A. Tachycardia
B. Drowsiness
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause sympathomimetic effects such as
tachycardia, tremors, and nervousness.
8. A child with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid. What instruction
is vital for the nurse to provide?
A. Rinse the mouth with water after use
B. Use the inhaler only during an acute attack
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: A
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids helps prevent oral
candidiasis (thrush).
1. Which site is preferred for intramuscular injections in infants younger than 12
months?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal muscle
D. Ventrogluteal muscle
Answer: B
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants due to its
well-developed muscle mass and lack of major nerves or blood vessels.
2. When administering ear drops to a 2-year-old child, how should the nurse pull
the pinna?
A. Down and back
B. Straight back
C. Up and back
D. Down and forward
Answer: A
Rationale: For children under age 3, the pinna is pulled down and back to straighten the
ear canal. For children over 3, it is pulled up and back.
,3. What is the most accurate method for calculating pediatric medication
dosages?
A. Age in years
B. Weight in pounds
C. Body Surface Area (BSA)
D. Fried’s Rule
Answer: C
Rationale: Body Surface Area (BSA) is considered the most accurate method because it
accounts for both height and weight, reflecting metabolic activity.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to an infant. At what heart rate
should the dose be withheld?
A. Below 110 bpm
B. Below 90 bpm
C. Below 70 bpm
D. Below 60 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: In infants, Digoxin is typically withheld if the apical pulse is less than 90 bpm.
For older children, the cutoff is usually 70 bpm.
5. What is the primary reason why neonates are at a higher risk for drug
toxicity?
A. Immature liver and kidney function
B. Increased glomerular filtration rate
C. Faster gastric emptying
D. Lower percentage of total body water
Answer: A
Rationale: Neonates have immature liver enzymes and renal function, which slows drug
metabolism and excretion, leading to potential accumulation and toxicity.
, 6. Which medication is used as an antidote for Acetaminophen overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Flumazenil
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: D
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, helping to
prevent liver damage by restoring glutathione levels.
7. What is a common side effect of Albuterol in pediatric patients?
A. Tachycardia
B. Drowsiness
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause sympathomimetic effects such as
tachycardia, tremors, and nervousness.
8. A child with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid. What instruction
is vital for the nurse to provide?
A. Rinse the mouth with water after use
B. Use the inhaler only during an acute attack
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: A
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids helps prevent oral
candidiasis (thrush).
