PHARMACOLOGY CHAPTER 07: PEDIATRIC
PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a 6-month-old infant. The
nurse will monitor closely for signs of drug toxicity based on the knowledge that,
compared to adults, infants have
a. an increased percentage of total body fat.
b. immature hepatic and renal function.
c. more protein receptor sites.
d. more rapid gastrointestinal transit time.
ANS: B
The liver and kidneys are the primary organs for metabolism and excretion and
are immature in infants. This allows drugs to accumulate and increases the risk for
drug toxicity. Infants have a lower proportion of body fat than adults and fewer
protein receptors. They do have more rapid gastrointestinal transit time, but this
decreases the amount of drug absorbed.
2. The nurse reviews information about a drug and learns that it is best absorbed
in an acidic environment. When giving this drug to a 1-year-old patient, the nurse
will expect to administer a dose that will be
a. equal to an adult dose.
b. less than an adult dose.
c. more than an adult dose.
d. twice the usual adult dose.
ANS: C
Because the child’s gastric pH is more alkaline than the adult’s, less drug will be
absorbed. Therefore, the dose should be increased.
3. The nurse assumes care for an infant who is showing signs of drug toxicity to a
drug given several hours prior. The nurse checks the dose and confirms that the
dose is consistent with standard dosing guidelines. Which characteristic of the
drug will likely explain this response in this patient?
a. It is acidic.
b. It is highly protein-bound.
, c. It is not fat-soluble.
d. It is water-soluble.
ANS: B
With fewer protein-binding sites, there is more active drug available. This requires
a reduction in the dose for infants. Drugs that are acidic are not as readily
absorbed in infants, since their gastric pH tends to be more alkaline. Infants have
a lower proportion of body fat; fat-soluble drugs would need to be decreased to
prevent toxicity. Until about age 2 years of age, pediatric patients require larger
than usual doses of water-soluble drugs to achieve therapeutic effects.
4. The parent is concerned about giving a child medication because of the lack of
knowledge about the effects of drugs on children. The nurse discusses legislation
passed in 2002 and 2003 about pediatric pharmacology. Which is true about
these laws?
a. They forbid providers from prescribing medications unless they have been FDA
approved for use in children.
b. They mandate consistent, evidence-based dosing guidelines for use in children.
c. They provide federal grants to fund pediatric pharmaceutical research.
d. They require drug manufacturers to study pediatric medication use.
ANS: D
In 2003, a law known as the Pediatric Research Equity Act joined the Best
Pharmaceuticals Act of 2002 to require drug manufacturers to study pediatric
medication use and offer incentives for pediatric pharmacology research.
Providers are not forbidden to prescribe drugs
in children that are not FDA-approved. The laws do not mandate the use of
evidence-based guidelines and do not provide grants to fund research.
5. The nurse will administer an intravenous medication to an adolescent patient.
When preparing the adolescent for the IV insertion, which is an appropriate
action by the nurse?
a. Allowing the patient to verbalize concerns about the procedure
b. Covering the insertion site with a bandage after the procedure is completed
c. Explaining any possible adverse drug reactions
d. Reassuring the patient that only one body part will be used
PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a 6-month-old infant. The
nurse will monitor closely for signs of drug toxicity based on the knowledge that,
compared to adults, infants have
a. an increased percentage of total body fat.
b. immature hepatic and renal function.
c. more protein receptor sites.
d. more rapid gastrointestinal transit time.
ANS: B
The liver and kidneys are the primary organs for metabolism and excretion and
are immature in infants. This allows drugs to accumulate and increases the risk for
drug toxicity. Infants have a lower proportion of body fat than adults and fewer
protein receptors. They do have more rapid gastrointestinal transit time, but this
decreases the amount of drug absorbed.
2. The nurse reviews information about a drug and learns that it is best absorbed
in an acidic environment. When giving this drug to a 1-year-old patient, the nurse
will expect to administer a dose that will be
a. equal to an adult dose.
b. less than an adult dose.
c. more than an adult dose.
d. twice the usual adult dose.
ANS: C
Because the child’s gastric pH is more alkaline than the adult’s, less drug will be
absorbed. Therefore, the dose should be increased.
3. The nurse assumes care for an infant who is showing signs of drug toxicity to a
drug given several hours prior. The nurse checks the dose and confirms that the
dose is consistent with standard dosing guidelines. Which characteristic of the
drug will likely explain this response in this patient?
a. It is acidic.
b. It is highly protein-bound.
, c. It is not fat-soluble.
d. It is water-soluble.
ANS: B
With fewer protein-binding sites, there is more active drug available. This requires
a reduction in the dose for infants. Drugs that are acidic are not as readily
absorbed in infants, since their gastric pH tends to be more alkaline. Infants have
a lower proportion of body fat; fat-soluble drugs would need to be decreased to
prevent toxicity. Until about age 2 years of age, pediatric patients require larger
than usual doses of water-soluble drugs to achieve therapeutic effects.
4. The parent is concerned about giving a child medication because of the lack of
knowledge about the effects of drugs on children. The nurse discusses legislation
passed in 2002 and 2003 about pediatric pharmacology. Which is true about
these laws?
a. They forbid providers from prescribing medications unless they have been FDA
approved for use in children.
b. They mandate consistent, evidence-based dosing guidelines for use in children.
c. They provide federal grants to fund pediatric pharmaceutical research.
d. They require drug manufacturers to study pediatric medication use.
ANS: D
In 2003, a law known as the Pediatric Research Equity Act joined the Best
Pharmaceuticals Act of 2002 to require drug manufacturers to study pediatric
medication use and offer incentives for pediatric pharmacology research.
Providers are not forbidden to prescribe drugs
in children that are not FDA-approved. The laws do not mandate the use of
evidence-based guidelines and do not provide grants to fund research.
5. The nurse will administer an intravenous medication to an adolescent patient.
When preparing the adolescent for the IV insertion, which is an appropriate
action by the nurse?
a. Allowing the patient to verbalize concerns about the procedure
b. Covering the insertion site with a bandage after the procedure is completed
c. Explaining any possible adverse drug reactions
d. Reassuring the patient that only one body part will be used
