Principles of Pediatric Pharm - Exam 1

Question 1

Give 4 prescription writing tips

Answer 1

1. write dosing for the fewest times a day
2. use whole numbers to make it easier for parents
3. do not give combo meds due to risk of overdose
4. use smaller volumes when dosing meds (higher concentration at lower mL dosing)

Question 2

What are the current FDA guidelines regarding OTC cough and cold medications?

Answer 2

FDA discourages use under the age of 2

Question 3

What are the major causes of adverse effects of cough and cold drugs in pediatric patients?

Answer 3

due to medication errors or accidental ingestions

aka NOT that the OTC cough/cold meds are dangerous in children

Question 4

How many mL is 1 teaspoon?

Answer 4

5mL = 1 teaspoon

Question 5

T/F: Adults are more likely to experience SE than children

Answer 5

FALSE! kids are more likely to experience SE than adult patients

Question 6

What is the first thing you should do if a kid accidentally ingests something they should not have?

Answer 6

Call poison control!!

Question 7

What is the safe age to give children ASA? What is one undesirable outcome?

Answer 7

must be 18 years old or older

Reye’s Syndrome

Question 8

What is the main ingredient in Sudafed?

Answer 8

pseudoephedrine

Question 9

What is the MOA for pseudoephedrine?

Answer 9

produces vasoconstriction by stimulating alpha receptors in mucosa of respiratory tract

Question 10

What are the SE of pseudoephedrine?

Answer 10

Dizziness, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, tachycardia, irritability, hypertension

Question 11

What is the nasal decongestant spray alternative to Sudafed?

Answer 11

Phenylephrine / oxymetazoline (Afrin)

Question 12

Does dextromethorphan act centrally or peripherally? What is the MOA? What is it structurally similar to?

Answer 12

centrally!!

Acts on the cough center of the medulla to suppress cough

Isomer of codeine

Question 13

What are the SE of dextromethorphan?

Answer 13

Nausea, sedation, dizziness, abdominal pain

Question 14

What type of pt is dextromethorphan NOT a good choice for?

Answer 14

not a good choice for asthma/CF pts because it suppress the cough drive

Question 15

What is the MOA for Guaifenesin?

Answer 15

Increases respiratory tract fluid secretions and helps loosen bronchial secretions by reducing viscosity, therefore increasing mucociliary clearance

Question 16

What type of pt is Guaifenesin a good choice for?

Answer 16

GOOD for asthma/CF/productive cough patients by increasing the fluid secretions which helps loose the mucous making it easier to cough up

Question 17

What is the earliest recommended age for a pt to be prescribed Tessalon Pearls?

Answer 17

13 years old and older

Question 18

What is the earliest recommended age for a pt to eat honey? Why?

Answer 18

must be older than 1

due to risk of botulism

Question 19

What is the earliest recommended age for Zytrec?

Answer 19

must be 6 months old and older

Question 20

What is the earliest recommended age for a pt to take ibuprofen?

Answer 20

older than 6 months old

Question 21

How are peds meds dosed?

Answer 21

by weight and age

weight specifically with liquid medications

Question 22

What abx is generally not considered safe in peds? Why?

Answer 22

tetracyclines

due to staining of the tooth enamel

Question 23

What are 8 different Developmental Pharmacokinetics as to why medications effect pediatric patients differently?

Answer 23

↓GI but ↑IM absorption

↑body H2O but ↓lipids

Limited protein binding

↑liver/body wt ratio

Immature enzymes

↑brain/body wt ratio

↑blood brain barrier permeability

Immature renal function

Question 24

practice dosing abx for peds— see slides for examples

Answer 24

DO IT!!!!