Pediatric Medication Tips

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

Hello all,

I'm a third semester nursing student just beginning my pediatric clinicals. I'm also 22 with no kids, and the ER I work in as a tech has no pediatric floor. Anyone we get that's in serious condition under the age of 15 is usually shipped off to a different hospital. Why the parents come to us in the first place if things are really bad is beyond me, but that's another story...

Needless to say, my experience working with kids is pretty limited. What I do know is that its not like working with "tiny adults."

Basically I'm looking for tips on how to give kids meds, that would be the actual administration and heck maybe a few calculation tips (though I did pass my med calc test). Really anything you guys might have picked up over the years. The other fun addition to this population (to me personally) seems to be the parents...I know I'm just a student, but I'd prefer not to look like an idiot in front of their children.

Any help would be appreciated!

-Blue

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Specializes in ER.

Hi BlueOrchid,

I think you'll find most kids are pretty good about it. I always ask the caregiver if they take medicine easily..that at least lets me know if I'm going to be wearing it. Most kids medicines are kid friendly, like Tylenol and Motrin because they come in liquid form and have a pleasant taste. I always measure using a syringe for accurate dosing. If the child seems apprehensive, they may take the medication from their caregiver more readily than a stranger. Hope this helps and good luck with your future RN career.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hello Blue! My name is Chris and I'm a nursing student as well. I work as a tech in a Peds. ER and as you might be able to guess I can't wait until I graduate so that I can become a Peds. RN. While I am only a nursing student like yourself here are a few things I have observed from nurses giving meds. to kids and any meds. I have had to give to kids myself during my peds. rotation.

1. Make sure the child is sitting up when your giving them the medication. (It seems obvious but you don't want to give a child a med. while they are lying on their back or something so they don't choke and aspirate the med.

2. Explain to the child what you are doing and that the med. will make them feel better. Sometimes a simple explanation may help to alleviate the child's fears.

3. Ask the caregiver how the child normally takes their medications. Parents/caregivers usually know how well their child will take a medication and may know some tips to help you administer the medication or know which way the child will best take the medication.

4. If the child is old enough off them the option of taking PO meds through an oral syringe or medicine cup. Sometimes giving the child the cup lets them think that they are in charge and will make med. administration easier for other kids they will suck the med. right out of the oral syringe without a problem.

5. Find out if the med. can be crushed or given with food. Because a big issue about taking meds. for kids is related to the taste you should try to find out if a med. can be crushed or given with food. Never crush a med. or administer it with food without consulting a drug guide or pharmacist first!

6. When giving meds. with an oral syringe never squirt the syringe directly into the back of the troat, this can cause choking or gagging. Squirt the medication into the side of the cheek (especially for infants.)

I know that their are more techniques and tips for giving meds. to kids but I can't think of any more at the moment. I'm sure that others will be happy to add their reccomendations.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in peds cardiac, peds ER.

Calculation tip...unless it's a teenager in a children's hospital, very rarely will you give more than one pre-filled syringe or use more than one vial of medication for pediatric dosing. Usually you will use only part of a syringe or vial. If you do find that you need more than one, it's a red flag to stop and triple check what you are doing.

Most pediatric dosing is weight based. You can check the dosing based on the patient's weight as well as a double-check to the order. Pharmacy will also do this. If it's not a drug you are very familiar with the dosing parameters for, it's always a good idea to triple check what the doc and pharmacist have done.

And most important...if the parent tells you that it's not the drug or amount their child normally takes...they are probably right! Always stop and verify.

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