C HAPTER 21: C ONSIDERATIONS FOR THE
P EDIATRIC P ATIENT
Castillo: Calculating Drug Dosages: A Patient -Safe Approach to Nursing
and Math 2nd Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The physician writes an order for amoxicillin 500 mg PO BID for a 4 -
month-old with acute otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The infant weighs 6 kg (13.3 lb). The drug reference states the following
about amoxicillin:
,Which of the following available drug forms w ith measuring device is
most appropriate for this 4 -month-old child?
A. Chewable tablets, (cherry, banana, peppermint flavors); 250 mg
each; given in med cup
B. Capsules; 500 mg each; given in med cup
C. Suspension (pediatric drops) (bubblegum flavor); 50 mg/mL; gi ven
in nipple dispenser measuring device
D. Oral suspension (bubblegum flavor); 250 mg/5 m L; given in
cylindrical dosing spoon
, ANS: C
Feedback
The administration of oral medications to children necessitates that the
nurse consider the child’s developmental stage, form of the drug, and
the most age-appropriate dosage delivery device to administer the drug.
Infants are unable to chew a solid form such as a tablet or swallow a
capsule safel y.
A liquid oral preparation is the safest dosage form for an infant, a nd a
nipple dispenser measuring device is age appropriate for a 4 -month-old
child.
2. Which of the following help to minimize the risk of harm during the
administration of the IV fluid to children of all ages ?
A. Macrodrip IV tubing for the infusion of gravit y IVs
B. Volume control fluid chamber devices
C. PCA IV pumps to help control pain
D. Weekl y weights to monitor for fluid overload
ANS: B
Feedback
Volume control fluid chamber devices, such as a Buretrol, assist the
nurse to limit the amount of fluid that is allow ed to infuse into the
patient, thus avoiding potential fluid overload.
Pediatric gravit y IVs use microdrip IV tubing with a drop factor of 60
gtt/mL. PCA pumps can onl y be used by older children and adults who
, can understand how to use them for pain manage ment. Dail y weights
are done on all pediatric patients to monitor fluid status and IV fluid
requirements.
3. The pediatrician writes an order for phytonadione 0.5 mg IM to be given
to a newborn for the prevention of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
The drug reference states the following about phytonadione:
P EDIATRIC P ATIENT
Castillo: Calculating Drug Dosages: A Patient -Safe Approach to Nursing
and Math 2nd Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The physician writes an order for amoxicillin 500 mg PO BID for a 4 -
month-old with acute otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The infant weighs 6 kg (13.3 lb). The drug reference states the following
about amoxicillin:
,Which of the following available drug forms w ith measuring device is
most appropriate for this 4 -month-old child?
A. Chewable tablets, (cherry, banana, peppermint flavors); 250 mg
each; given in med cup
B. Capsules; 500 mg each; given in med cup
C. Suspension (pediatric drops) (bubblegum flavor); 50 mg/mL; gi ven
in nipple dispenser measuring device
D. Oral suspension (bubblegum flavor); 250 mg/5 m L; given in
cylindrical dosing spoon
, ANS: C
Feedback
The administration of oral medications to children necessitates that the
nurse consider the child’s developmental stage, form of the drug, and
the most age-appropriate dosage delivery device to administer the drug.
Infants are unable to chew a solid form such as a tablet or swallow a
capsule safel y.
A liquid oral preparation is the safest dosage form for an infant, a nd a
nipple dispenser measuring device is age appropriate for a 4 -month-old
child.
2. Which of the following help to minimize the risk of harm during the
administration of the IV fluid to children of all ages ?
A. Macrodrip IV tubing for the infusion of gravit y IVs
B. Volume control fluid chamber devices
C. PCA IV pumps to help control pain
D. Weekl y weights to monitor for fluid overload
ANS: B
Feedback
Volume control fluid chamber devices, such as a Buretrol, assist the
nurse to limit the amount of fluid that is allow ed to infuse into the
patient, thus avoiding potential fluid overload.
Pediatric gravit y IVs use microdrip IV tubing with a drop factor of 60
gtt/mL. PCA pumps can onl y be used by older children and adults who
, can understand how to use them for pain manage ment. Dail y weights
are done on all pediatric patients to monitor fluid status and IV fluid
requirements.
3. The pediatrician writes an order for phytonadione 0.5 mg IM to be given
to a newborn for the prevention of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
The drug reference states the following about phytonadione:
