Drug Therapy For Pediatric Patients

Drug Therapy for Pediatric Patients Chapter 5

Drug Therapy for Pediatric Patients  Goal:

– safe and effective pediatric drug therapy

Classification of Pediatric Patients: 

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Age

Classification

< 38 weeks AOG Premature or preterm < 1 month Neonate or newborn infant 1 month-< years Infant 2 years - < 12 years Child 12 years - < 18 years Adolescent

Pharmacokinetic Differences in the Pediatric Patients  Absorption  Distribution  Metabolism  Elimination

Pediatric drug Sensitivity  barbiturates  morphine  salicylates  acetaminophen

Pediatric dosage calculations  age

or weight  nomogram (height & weight) ( liver and kidney)

BSA    

– body surface area in square meters - Height and weight - kg and cm or lb. and inches Child’s dose =

Child’s body surface area in m2

X

adult dose 

1.73 m2 (BSA of ave. adult)

BSA  

Steps: 1. Determine the height and weight of the patient.

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2. Place the straightedge on the nomogram connecting the two points on the height and weight of the patients

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3. Where the straightedge crosses the center column (BSA) a reading is taken

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4. Substitute the BSA value in the formula to calculate the dosage for the child

Administration of Medication to Children  Assessment  Planning

and Implementation  Evaluation

Administration of Medication to Children          

Oral Medications Parenteral Medications Intramuscular Subcutaneous Intravenous IV push Soluset method Retrograde Syringe pump – greatest control - rectal