Page 1188 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

FIG. 41-1 Acceptable devices for measuring and administering oral medication to
children (clockwise from bottom left): Measuring spoon, plastic syringes, calibrated nipple,
plastic medicine cup, calibrated dropper, hollow-handled medicine spoon. (From
Hockenberry, Wilson, 2005.)

Box 41-1

Medication Administration Guidelines for

Children

■ Two identifiers are required before medication administration—such as name,
medical record number, and birth date. Bar code scanning systems are
commonly used as an additional safeguard to ensure that medications are given
to the correct client.
■ Obtain information from parents about successful methods for administering
medications to their children.
■ Ask parents about any known allergies.
■ To avoid aspiration, liquid forms of medication are safer to swallow than other
forms.
■ Straws often help older children to swallow pills.
■ Avoid putting medications in foods such as milk, cereal, or baby food because it
may cause an unpleasant taste to the food, and the child may refuse to accept
the same food in the future. In addition, the child may not consume the entire

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