Describe the methods of administration for intramuscular medications in the pediatric patient.
What will be an ideal response?
The small volume of prescribed medication administered in an intramuscular injection poses unique risks for the pediatric patient who has a small amount of tissue. Very small volumes, such as less than 1 mL, should be administered in a low-dose (0.5-mL) syringe to ensure accuracy. Such syringes, with specially designed needles, decrease the chance of administering inaccurate doses because of a dead space, space that allows fluid to remain in the syringe and needle after the plunger is completely pushed forward. Generally, a minimum of 0.2 mL is left in the standard needle hub, especially when two drugs are mixed in the same syringe. When mixing two drugs in the same syringe, such as insulin, it is recommended to always draw up the two drugs in the same order, use the same brand of syringe, and use the needle permanently attached to decrease the risk of dead space occurring. Furthermore, flushing the syringe is not recommended after medication administration because this practice may also result in dead space.
Medications such as iron and diphtheria and tetanus toxoid are specifically irritating and may result in irritation when tracked into the subcutaneous tissue; they should be administered by Z-track. Changing the needle after drawing up the medication and before giving it is a practice that also decreases tracking. Needle size and gauge are also specific considerations for infants and children.
You might also like to view...
A nurse is planning the care of a client with bronchiectasis. What goal of care should the nurse prioritize?
A) The patient will successfully mobilize pulmonary secretions. B) The patient will maintain an oxygen saturation level of ?98%. C) The patient's pulmonary blood pressure will decrease to within reference ranges. D) The patient will resume prediagnosis level of function within 72 hours.
A nurse who is assisting victims of an automobile collision has already placed a towel secured with a belt on a bleeding leg wound. What action should the nurse take when the towel becomes saturated?
a. Do nothing. b. Remove the towel and use the belt as a tourniquet. c. Remove the towel and place the victim's jacket over the wound and secure it. d. Reinforce the towel with the victim's jacket.
A newly admitted homeless client diagnosed with schizophrenia states, "I have been living in a cardboard box for 2 weeks. Why did the government let me down?" Which is an appropriate nursing reply?
A. "Your discharge from the state hospital was done prematurely. Had you remained in the state hospital longer, you would not be homeless." B. "Your premature discharge from the state hospital was not intended for patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia." C. "Your discharge from the state hospital was based on firm principles; however, the resources were not available to make the transition a success." D. "Your discharge from the state hospital was based on presumed family support, and this was not forthcoming."
A parent visits the pediatrician's office and complains to the nurse practitioner about her teenager who sleeps too much. It would be appropriate to instruct this parent that
A) Children require more sleep than adolescents B) Adolescents require less sleep than elderly clients C) Adolescents and children require minimal sleep D) Adolescents need more sleep for growth