Peds Clinical Assignment
1. Define the five "rights" of pediatric drug administration.
The five right of pediatric drug administration are identifying the right patient, young infants are
mostly incapable of identifying themselves so the only safe way to identify a child is to check the
hospital ID band with the medication card. Another right is identifying the right drug. Nurses
should always confirm the medication is appropriate for the child’s condition. Thirdly ensuring
that the right dose has been prescribed, if the amount of timing of the dose seems abnormal,
nurses should always confirm it with the ordering physician. Confirming the correct route is
another right of pediatric drug administration also ensuring that the medication is administered at
the right time.
2. What are specific guidelines for writing prescriptions?
Specific guidelines for writing prescriptions are, always verify that the patient dose is based on
his or her current weight, do not abbreviate medication names, always leave a space between a
number and a unit (10 mg NOT 10mg), never put a zero after a whole number(2 mg NOT 2.0mg)
always put a zero to the left of the decimal point for doses less than one (0.1 mg NOT .1 mg),
prescription must be legible.
3. Administer medication to children using a firm, yet positive approach.
When delivering medication to children, it is critical to inform the child about the medication as
well as the medication's purpose. The nurse may also describe the flavor of the drug. It is never a
good idea to provide medication to a child in a dishonest manner, as this can be deadly. For
example, good morning, Mark I'm here today to give you some medicine. This medication is for
your asthma, and it tastes like grapes, it will help you get well so you can go home.
4. What are suitable injection sites for medication?
The injection site and needle size for a child are determined by their size, weight, age, and
condition. Suitable injection site for medications are vastus lateralis, dorsogluteal, ventrogluteal,
deltoid muscle.
5. How do you effectively administer oral, otic, ophthalmic and nasal medications to
children?
To give oral medication efficiently, most infants will happily take medication from a syringe. If
the child refuses to swallow, place the syringe in the side of the child's mouth and slowly
squeeze the medication into the back and to the side, giving the youngster time to
swallow. Eardrops are administered to the child in the supine posture and the head tilted to the
appropriate side to provide otic medicines to a child. The external auditory canal is straightened
in children under the age of three by gently drawing the pinna down and straight back. The pinna
is pulled upward and back in child above the age of three. For ophthalmic medication, use one
hand to pull the lower eyelid down and the other to rest on the child's head so that your hand
moves with the child if the youngster moves. A tiny conjunctival sac forms as the lower lid is
pulled down. Instead of applying the solution directly to the eyeball, apply it here. The same
method can be used to apply ointment. Squeeze a tiny amount onto a sterile gauze pad before
applying the ointment to eliminate any microorganisms that may have contaminated the tip.
Because ointment takes longer to apply and is thus more difficult to administer, it is critical that
the infant remain completely motionless. Lastly, when administering nasal medications, position
the child with his or her head hyperextended well over the edge of a bed or pillow to reduce
unpleasant sensations. Talk through the procedure with the child, encouraging and praising them
as you go. Place the droplets in the child's nostril while gently supporting his or her head with the
other hand. When the mission is complete, count to ten and applaud the child.
6. What is the nurse's role in the administration of children's medications?
The nurse's involvement in drug administration extends beyond simply providing medications as
directed. The nurse should be knowledgeable about the drug being administered, administer the
drugs correctly and safely, evaluate and analyze the child patient's response to the drug, and
educate the child patient and his or her family about the medication.
7. What are the appropriate strategies for administering medication to children of different
developmental levels?
The nurse must be continually aware of the situational setting when administering medication to
children at various levels and stages. If the child is cooperative or disobedient. Maintaining
honesty, persuasion/mild coercion, appraisal at the completion of the mission, considering the
child's past experiences, and involving the parents could all be used in delivering medications
once the background theme of the scenario has been identified.
One page Video Documentation
The video is about a man whose wife of twelve-years was killed instantaneously when a car ran a stop
sign and drove into their vehicle. His seventeen-month-old son was flung from his minivan after his seat
belt snapped and it rolled down the highway after contact. His son was transported to a minor hospital
in Southwest Georgia and flown to a larger hospital in Savannah, Georgia, via helicopter. His family
would watch and pray for his ongoing recovery for the next four days as they tried to move on from
their mother's death. His doctor notified him on day four that his son had suffered a major head injury,
but that he had continued to improve steadily throughout his time in their care. Unfortunately, he
received a phone call on the morning of day five that the pharmacist was said to have dispensed an
amount that was equivalent to an adult's requirement in the video. The father claims that the drug went
right to his son's cardiac system and stopped his heart as soon as it was given to him. The tragic and
miserable story of the child who died as a result of a prescription error was told. But the lesson I was
able to learn, is that medicine delivery errors and mistakes can be lethal, so it's critical to eliminate them
altogether. As nurses, we must conduct drug administration in a safe manner, and we cannot emphasize
how important it is to follow protocols and recommendations.