Pediatrics Flashcards
What can influence drug absorption from the IM site in premature infants compared to older children & adults?
Differences in muscle mass
Poor perfusion to muscles
Peripheral vasomotor instability
Insufficient muscular contractions
Premature infants require a larger ______ ________ than older children to achieve a therapeutic serum concentration of drugs s/a phenobarbital & phenytoin
loading dose
What is the MC & reliable method used to determine the proper dose for a pediatric patient?
Body weight
What is considered the least reliable method to determine the proper dose for a pediatric patient?
Age
What is Clark’s Rule-Weight?
(Child’s wt in lb / 150 lb) x adult dose
Used very often
What is Age-fried’s rule?
(Age in months / 150) x adult dose
Rarely used, should be limited to pts under 2 yo
What is Age-young’s rule?
(Age in years / age in years + 12) x adult dose
May be used for 1-12 yo
How can you calculate body surface area (BSA) ?
Using a nomogram
BSA is measured in units of….
Meters squared (M2)
Therefore dosage of meds are in units per M2
Which units are most commonly used?
Units/kg
What is a major point of error w/ pediatric dosing?
Not looking to see if amount is per day or per dose
What should you always include on the label when writing a pediatric Rx?
the indication!
What should you limit w/ pediatric dosing?
memorization
Look them up every time!
