NCLEX Pharmacology Quiz 38 Pediatric Medications And Administrations

1. A nurse prepares to administer an intramuscular injection to a 6-month-old infant. The nurse selects which site to administer the medication?

Rectus femoris.

Dorsal gluteal.

Ventrogluteal.

Vastus lateralis.

Intramuscular injection sites are selected based on the child’s age and muscle development of the child. The vastus lateralis is the only safe muscle group to use for intramuscular injection in a 6 month-old infant.

Options A, B, and D are unsafe for that age.

Explanation

Intramuscular injection sites are selected based on the child’s age and muscle development of the child. The vastus lateralis is the only safe muscle group to use for intramuscular injection in a 6 month-old infant.

Options A, B, and D are unsafe for that age.

2. Hydrocortisone cream 1% is given to a child with eczema. The nurse gives instruction to the mother to apply the cream by?

Apply a thin layer of cream and spread it into the area thoroughly.

Avoid cleansing the area before the application.

Apply a thick layer of the cream to affected areas only.

Apply the cream to other areas to avoid occurrence.

Topical corticosteroids are administered sparingly and rubbed into the area thoroughly.

Option B: The area should be cleaned first before administration.
Options C and D: Thickly application and rubbing it on other areas will likely lead to systemic absorption.

Explanation

Topical corticosteroids are administered sparingly and rubbed into the area thoroughly.

Option B: The area should be cleaned first before administration.
Options C and D: Thickly application and rubbing it on other areas will likely lead to systemic absorption.

3. A nurse provides medication instructions to a first-time mother. Which statement made by the mother indicates a need for further instructions?

“I should mix the medication in the baby food and give it when I feed the child”.

“I should administer the oral medication sitting in an upright position and with the head elevated”.

“I will give my child a toy after giving the medication”.

“I will offer my child a juice drink after swallowing the medication”.

The nurse would teach the mother to avoid putting medications in foods because it may cause an unpleasant taste to the food, and the child may refuse to accept the same food in the future. Additionally, the child may not consume the entire serving and would not receive require medication dosage.

Option B: Administering the medication in an upright position and head elevation will prevent the risk of aspiration.
Option C: Offering a toy will provide comfort measures to the child.
Option D: The mother should offer drink such as juice or a soft drink to lessen the aftertaste of the medication.

Explanation

The nurse would teach the mother to avoid putting medications in foods because it may cause an unpleasant taste to the food, and the child may refuse to accept the same food in the future. Additionally, the child may not consume the entire serving and would not receive require medication dosage.

Option B: Administering the medication in an upright position and head elevation will prevent the risk of aspiration.
Option C: Offering a toy will provide comfort measures to the child.
Option D: The mother should offer drink such as juice or a soft drink to lessen the aftertaste of the medication.

4. A nurse is monitoring the intake and output of an infant receiving furosemide (Lasix) IV. Which of the following method is the most appropriate in measuring the urine output?

Ask the mother regarding the number of diaper changes.

Compare intake with output.

Weighing the diaper.

Insert Foley catheter.

The most appropriate method for measuring urine output of an infant is by weighing the diaper.

Options A and B will not provide the accurate measure of the urine output.
Option D: Inserting a foley catheter will provide the most accurate measurement but it gives the infant the risk of urinary tract infection.

Explanation

The most appropriate method for measuring urine output of an infant is by weighing the diaper.

Options A and B will not provide the accurate measure of the urine output.
Option D: Inserting a foley catheter will provide the most accurate measurement but it gives the infant the risk of urinary tract infection.

5. A child was brought to the emergency department with complaints of nausea

Potassium chloride IV infusion.

Dextrose 5% IV infusion.

Ringer’s Lactate.

Normal saline IV infusion.

The initial priority in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis is the restoration of extracellular fluid volume through the intravenous administration of a normal saline(0.9 percent sodium chloride) solution.

Option A is not part of the initial treatment.
Options B and C which are dextrose solutions will be used only when the blood glucose level is decreased.

Explanation

The initial priority in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis is the restoration of extracellular fluid volume through the intravenous administration of a normal saline(0.9 percent sodium chloride) solution.

Option A is not part of the initial treatment.
Options B and C which are dextrose solutions will be used only when the blood glucose level is decreased.

6. A physician prescribes an IV solution of 500 ml 0.45% Saline with an incorporation of 20mEq potassium chloride for a child with dehydration. The nurse should check which of the following before administering this IV prescription?

Blood pressure.

Height.

Weight.

Urine output.

When it comes to hypotonic dehydration, electrolyte loss exceeds water loss. The priority assessment for the nurse is to check the urinary output before the administration. Potassium chloride is contraindicated for patients with oliguria or anuria.

Options A, B, and C are not related to the administration of this medicine.

Explanation

When it comes to hypotonic dehydration, electrolyte loss exceeds water loss. The priority assessment for the nurse is to check the urinary output before the administration. Potassium chloride is contraindicated for patients with oliguria or anuria.

Options A, B, and C are not related to the administration of this medicine.

7. A 1-year-old child is diagnosed with scabies. Which of the following medicine is expected to be prescribed?

Permethrin.

Lindane.

Both.

None.

Permethrin and Lindane are used against scabies, but lindane is contraindicated for children below two years old because of the risk of seizures and neurotoxicity.

Explanation

Permethrin and Lindane are used against scabies, but lindane is contraindicated for children below two years old because of the risk of seizures and neurotoxicity.

8. A nurse prepares to administer a 3ml injection via intramuscular injection to a 5-year-old child. The nurse selects which site to administer the medication?

Rectus femoris.

Deltoid.

Ventrogluteal.

Vastus lateralis.

Intramuscular injection sites are chosen based on the child’s age and muscle development of the child. The ventrogluteal muscle is the ideal choice to administer 0.5ml-3ml amount of injection on a 3-12-year-old child.

Options A and D only allows 2ml amount of injection.
Option B allows 0.5-1ml amount of injection.

Explanation

Intramuscular injection sites are chosen based on the child’s age and muscle development of the child. The ventrogluteal muscle is the ideal choice to administer 0.5ml-3ml amount of injection on a 3-12-year-old child.

Options A and D only allows 2ml amount of injection.
Option B allows 0.5-1ml amount of injection.

9. A nurse is providing instructions to a mother who has a child with congestive heart failure regarding Digoxin (Lanoxin). Which statement made by the mother indicates further teaching?

“I will administer the medication 1 hour before or 2 hours after meal”.

“I will use a special dose-measuring spoon or cup

“If my child vomits after administration

“If more than one dose is missed

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside. The mother needs to be instructed not to repeat the dose once the child vomits it.

Options A, B, and D are correct instructions regarding this medicine.

Explanation

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside. The mother needs to be instructed not to repeat the dose once the child vomits it.

Options A, B, and D are correct instructions regarding this medicine.

10. An infant with a patent ductus arteriosus is admitted to the pediatric unit ward. The nurse anticipates which of the following medications will be given to the infant?

Prednisone.

Ibuprofen.

Penicillin.

Albuterol.

When surgical ligation is not indicated, prostaglandin inhibitors (e.g., nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) are used to close the ductus arteriosus.

Options A, C, and D are not used for the management of patent ductus arteriosus.

Explanation

When surgical ligation is not indicated, prostaglandin inhibitors (e.g., nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) are used to close the ductus arteriosus.

Options A, C, and D are not used for the management of patent ductus arteriosus.