3.4 - Neonatal medication and specimen collection

Question 1

Safe administration of medication in neonates

Answer 1

• the 6 r’s
• double checking of drug out and to the neonate
• students are not allowed to be a double checker
• meds are given
  
  • oral
  • IV
  • enterally

Question 2

Drug Calculation

Answer 2

• all done by weight largest weight
  
  • ie if an infant is five days old and has lost weight since birth the birthweight is used to caln the drug
• *

Question 3

IV Cannulation

Answer 3

Hand

• Dorsal Arch Veins (back of the hand)
• Cephalic vein

Wrist

• Volar Aspect (found on the side of the wrist)

Cubital Fossa

• Median antecubital, cephalic and basilic veins

Foot

• Dorsal arch
• Saphenous vein (ankle)

Leg

• Saphenous vein at the knee

Scalp

• scalp veins once all other options are exhausted
• Superficial temporal vein

Question 4

Specimen collection

Answer 4

• same as adults label etc etc
• heel prick