Safe and effective nursing care medication addministation

Question 1

When administering medications to infants

Answer 1

• approach the infant slowly at eye level
• handle the infant gently, keep the infant on the caregiver’s lap, and use distraction
• Do not put medication inside a bottle of formula or breast milk
  because the infant must drink the entire amount to receive the appropriate dosage
• Hold the infant in the nursing position, and allow him or her to swallow in between squirts of medication of the buccal area of the mouth; do not lay the infant down un till he or she swallows
• never give an infant over-the-counter medication. Instruct caregivers to call their practitioner with concerns
• For rectal medications, lubricate the blunted end with water-soluble gel, insert approximately 1/2 inch, and hold the buttocks closed for approximately 10 minutes to allow for absorption of the medication
• For injections: in small infants the nurse should use a 5/8 inch needles with up to 0.5 ml of fluid; with infants a 1 inch needle with a maximum of 1 ml of fluids should be administered in the vastus lateralis. For adolesence the nurse should use 1- to 1.5 inch needles up to 3 ml of fluids maximum