MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN: SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

1
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION FOR INFANTS AND
CHILDREN SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Christie M. Candelaria
• MA, RN, CCRN.

2
ORAL/ENTERAL MEDICATIONS

• INFANTS
• A syringe or dropper provides the best control
  for administering medications
• Place small amounts of liquid along the side of
  the infants mouth.
• Have the infant suck the liquid through a nipple.
  For unpleasant tasting medicine, other methods
  should be used so that the infant will not
  associate the unpleasant taste with the nipple.
• Disguise disagreeable tasting medications with
  sweet-tasting substances. However, present any
  altered medication to the child honestly and not
  as a food or a treat.

3
CHILDREN

• Whenever possible, give children a choice between
  the use of a spoon, dropper, or syringe.
• Oral medications are usually prepared in
  sweetened liquid form to make them more
  palatable,
• Crush medications that are not supplied in liquid
  form and mix them with substances available on
  most pediatric units, such as honey, flavored
  syrup, jam, or a fruit puree
• Necessary food such as milk or orange juice
  should not be used to mask the taste of
  medications.
• Disguise disagreeable tasting medications with
  sweet-tasting substances. However, present any
  altered medication to the child honestly and not
  as a food or a treat.

4

• Administer the medication slowly with a measuring
  spoon, plastic syringe, or medication cup.
• If giving several medications by an enteral
  tube, administer medications separately and flush
  with 5-10 ml of warm water between each
  medication.