The nurse is teaching the mother of an infant how to properly administer medication. Which teaching points are important for this age group?

Question

1. Cuddle the infant while administering medications.
2. Deposit oral medication into the cheek area of the infant's mouth.
3. Hold the buttocks closed for 5 to 10 minutes after administering a rectal suppository.
4. Administer oral medications as quickly as possible before the infant can resist.
5. Use a household teaspoon for oral medications.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Cuddling the child will encourage the infant to take the medication.
Rationale 2: Directing oral medication to the inner cheek of the mouth will decrease the risk of aspiration.
Rationale 3: Holding the buttocks closed helps prevent expulsion of the drug before absorption occurs.
Rationale 4: Administering oral medications may cause the infant to aspirate.
Rationale 5: Medications are more often administered to infants via droppers.
Global Rationale: Cuddling the child will encourage the infant to take the medication. Directing oral medication to the inner cheek of the mouth will decrease the risk of aspiration. Holding the buttocks closed after administering a rectal suppository helps prevent expulsion of the drug before absorption occurs. Administering oral medications quickly may increase the risk of aspiration for the infant. Medications are more often administered to infants via droppers, not household teaspoons.