Preparation for a child and family for medication administration

Preparation for a child and family for medication administration

Every child require psychological preparation for parental administration of medication and supportive care during procedure even if child have received several injections, they rarely become accustomed to the discomfort and have as much right to understanding and patience from those involved in giving the injection as any other child.

    The nurse usually assumes the responsibility for preparing family to administer medication at home. The family should have an understanding of why the child is receiving the medication

And the effect that might be expected, as well as the amount, frequency, and the length of time the drug is to be administered. The care giver is carefully instructed regarding the correct dosage. Some person has difficulty in understanding or interpreting medical terminology, and just because they nod or otherwise indicate an understanding, it cannot be assumed that the message is clears. It is important to ascertain their interpretation of teaspoon, for example, and to be certain their interpretation of a teaspoon, for example and to be certain they have acceptable device for measuring the drug. If the drug is package with a dropper, syringe or plastic cup, the nurse should show the point on the device that indicate the prescribed dose and demonstrate how the dose is drawn up into a dropper or syringe and measured and the bubbles eliminated. If the nurse has any doubts about the parent’s ability to administer the correct dose, the parent should give a return demonstration.

 Drug administration to children via oral route

 The oral route is preferred for administering medication to children whenever possible. Because of the ease of administration of oral medications, most are dissolved or suspended in liquid preparations. Although some children are able to swallow or chew solid medications at an early age, solid preparations are not recommended for young children. There is danger of aspiration in any oral preparation but solid form (pills, tablets, capsules) are especially hazardous if their administration causes extreme resistance or crying. Most pediatric medications in palatable and colorful preparations for added ease of administration.

 Although administering liquid to infant is relatively easy, care must be observed to prevent aspiration. With the infant held in a semi reclining positions, the medication is placed in the mouth from a spoon, plastic cup, plastic dropper or plastic syringe (without needle). The dropper or syringe is best placed along the side of the infants tongue, and the liquid is administered slowly in a small amount, waiting for the child to swallow between deposits. Medicine cups can be used effectively for older infants who are able to drink from a cup. Because of the natural outward tongue thrust in infancy, medication may need to be retrieved from the lips or chin and refed. Allowing the infant to suck the medication that has been placed in an empty nipple or inserting the syringe or dropper into the side of the mouth, parallel to the nipple, while the infant nurses are other convenient methods for giving liquid medication to infants. There is always a risk in using even mild forceful techniques. A crying child can aspirate the medication, particularly when lying on the back. If the nurse holds the child in the lap with the child right arm behind the nurse, the left hand firmly grasped by the nurse’s left hand and head securely cradled between the nurse’s arm and body, the medication can be slowly poured into the mouth.

Drug administration to children via otic route

There are few differences in administering ear medication to children and to adult. The major difficulty is in gaining children’s cooperation. The infant’s oryoung child’s head is immobilized in the same manner. Older children need only explanation and direction. Although the administration of otic medication is not painful, the drug can cause unpleasant sensation, which can be eliminated with various techniques.

     Ear drops are instilled with the child in the supine position and the head turned to the appropriate side. For the children younger than 3yrs of age, the external auditory canal is straightened by gentle pulling the pinna downward and straight back.  The pinna is pulled upward and back in children older than 3yrs of age. To place the drops deep into the ear canal without contaminating the tip of the dropper, place a disposable ear speculum in the canal and administer the drops through the speculum. After instillation, the child should remain lying on the opposite side for a few minutes. Gentle massage of the area immediately anterior to the ear facilitates the entry of drops into the ear canal. The use of cotton pledgets prevents medication from flowing out of the external canal. However, they should be loose enough to allow any discharge to exist from the ear. Premoistening the cotton with a few drops of medication prevent the wicking action from absorbing the medication instilled in the ear.

 SUMMARY

Medication administration is a significant  responsibility that requires adherence to the safety principles discussed in this block of instruction.  Every patient has a unique response to the drugs they are given so these principles should be followed every time you are required to administer a medication.