Medication administration

Question 1

Oral meds- newborns

Answer 1

Hold semi-reclining position
In food or not in food
Use oral syringe slowly drip med to right side of mouth
Nipple

Question 2

Oral meds- toddlers

Answer 2

Sit upright
Mix with small amounts of juice/flavoring
Cruse and mix with pudding/syrup/ice cream
Press cheeks together until med is swallowed

Question 3

Rectal Meds

Answer 3

Absorption is directly related tot he time the medication is in the rectum
If you need to cute it in half, cut length-wise
Give with child in a left lateral position or knee to chest position
Insert suppository gentry through anus, past internal sphincter and against rectal wall, 7.6cm(3 in) in child and 5cm(2 inc) in an infant
Squeeze butt closed about 5-10 mins
Distraction
Monitor patient’s HR and BP

Question 4

Eye Meds

Answer 4

Cleanse eye from inner to outer canthus
Position child supine or sitting and ask to look up
pull lower lid down and apply to pocket
Instill into conjunctival sac without touching eye, eyelid or eyelashes
If child closes eyes tightly, instill the drops into the nasal corner of the closed eye. When applying more than one type of eye drop, wait 5 minutes between drops

Squeeze 2 cm of ointment into the conjunctival sac from inner canthus to outer canthus. Best if before a nap
Ensure the medication stays in the eye and does not go systemic by applying gentle pressure to the corner of the eye for 1 minute

Question 5

Ear Meds

Answer 5

Have child upright or lie in supine position with head turned with affected ear up
massage outer area for a few minutes
pull pinna up and back for older children
pull down and back for children

Question 6

Feeding tube meds

Answer 6

Check placement/patency prior to giving medications
Medication must be in liquid form
Flush tube before and after giving medications

Question 7

Subcutaneous meds

Answer 7

Use 1 ml syringe with 26-30 gauge needle at 90 degree angle or 45 degrees for very thin child
Volumes should be

Question 8

Intramuscular meds

Answer 8

Can use topical anesthetic to lesson a child's pain (EMLA)
Use 22-25 gauge, 1/2 -1 in needle
Vastus lateralis is the muscle of choice
Supine, side lying, sitting
Up to .5 ml for infants
Up to 2 ml for children

Question 9

Nasal Meds- Drops

Answer 9

Hold dropper ½ inch above nares and instill prescribed number of drops into one side at a time or into affected side.
Instruct child to keep head tilted back for 3 to 5 minutes.
Offer child a tissue to blot runny nose or wipe child’s nares of any drainage
Instruct child not to blow nose for several minutes.

Question 10

Nasal Meds- Spray

Answer 10

Place child in semi-Fowler position.
Hold head upright and press one finger against side of nose to close one nostril.
Using right hand to hold bottle, insert tip of bottle into left nostril and squeeze bottle while child is inhaling.
Instruct child to try to hold breath for a few seconds and then exhale through mouth.
Repeat nasal spray procedure using other hand and nostril.

Question 11

Transcription don’ts

Answer 11

Do not use u: use units
Do not use following 0, 5.0: use 5
Use leading 0: use 0.9
Do not use QD, QOD, IU, U, u…write it out.
Repeat back verbal orders and write down immediately. Only use in times of emergency