Pediatric pharmacology

Question 1

Pediatric patients taking prolonged aspirin therapy should receive. . .

Answer 1

. . . the influenza vaccine

They are at increased risk of Reye syndrome if they are infected while taking aspirin

Infleunza vaccine is usually not required for day care of school attendance, however the CDC recooemds it for all children aged 6 months or older

Question 2

Why should dexamethasone be your high-dose steroid of choice?

Answer 2

It self-tapers due to its half-life, unlike prednisone

Also, nurses don’t have to administer it at odd hours