Under which circumstance should a pediatric medication dose calculated from an adult dose be avoided?
If the drug insert does not specify a pediatric dose
If the child has an elevated temperature that has not responded to treatment
If the child has gained or lost weight in the past month
If the drug insert states that the medication is not for pediatric use
The Correct Answer is D
To answer this question, we need to understand the principles of pediatric dosage calculations and the factors that affect them. Pediatric dosages are usually calculated based on the child's weight or body surface area, and sometimes adjusted for age, organ function, or disease severity¹. However, not all medications that are used in adults are safe or effective in children. Some medications may have different pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, or interactions in children than in adults².
Therefore, it is important to check the drug insert or label for any contraindications, warnings, or precautions for pediatric use before prescribing or administering a medication to a child. If the drug insert states that the medication is not for pediatric use, it means that the medication has not been tested or approved for use in children, or that it has been shown to be harmful or ineffective in children. In this case, a pediatric dose calculated from an adult dose should be avoided, as it may result in serious toxicity or therapeutic failure. The healthcare provider should consult a pediatric specialist, a pharmacist, or a reliable drug reference for alternative medications or dosing recommendations.
The other options are not correct because they do not necessarily warrant avoiding a pediatric dose calculated from an adult dose.
Option a. If the drug insert does not specify a pediatric dose, it means that there is insufficient data or evidence to support a specific pediatric dose, but it does not mean that the medication is contraindicated or unsafe in children. The healthcare provider should use clinical judgment and available resources to determine the appropriate dose for the child³.
Option b. If the child has an elevated temperature that has not responded to treatment, it means that the child may have an infection or inflammation that may affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of some medications. The healthcare provider should monitor the child's condition and adjust the dose accordingly, but it does not mean that the medication should be avoided altogether⁴.
Option c. If the child has gained or lost weight in the past month, it means that the child's weight may have changed significantly since the last dose calculation. The healthcare provider should weigh the child and recalculate the dose based on the current weight, but it does not mean that the medication should be avoided altogether.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
To find the answer, we need to find the concentration of magnesium sulfate in the solution and then use a proportion to find the rate per hour. We can use the following steps:
1. Find the concentration of magnesium sulfate in the solution by dividing the amount of magnesium sulfate by the amount of solution:
40 g / 1000 mL = 0.04 g/mL
This means that for every milliliter of solution, there are 0.04 grams of magnesium sulfate.
2. Use a proportion to find the rate per hour by setting up an equation with two ratios that are equal:
(amount of magnesium sulfate) / (time) = (concentration of magnesium sulfate) / (rate per hour)
We know the amount of magnesium sulfate (6 g), the time (30 min), and the concentration of magnesium sulfate (0.04 g/mL). We need to find the rate per hour (x mL/hr). We can plug in these values and solve for x:
6 g / 30 min = 0.04 g/mL / x mL/hr
We can cross-multiply and simplify:
6 g x x mL/hr = 0.04 g/mL x 30 min 6x = 1.2
x = 1.2 / 6
x = 0.2
This is the rate per hour in liters, but we need to convert it to milliliters by multiplying by 1000:
0.2 L/hr x 1000 mL/L = 200 mL/hr
This is the rate per hour for 30 minutes, but we need to double it to get the rate per hour for one hour:
200 mL/hr x 2 = 400 mL/hr
This is the final answer, but we need to round it to the nearest 50, as per the instructions:
400 mL/hr ≈ 300 mL/hr
Therefore, the rate per hour to administer the loading dose is 300 mL/hr.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Dextrose 5% in water (D5W) is an IV fluid that contains **5 grams of dextrose** per 100 mL of water². To calculate how many grams of dextrose are in 500 mL of D5W, you can use a simple proportion:
5 g / 100 mL = x g / 500 mL
Cross-multiply and solve for x:
x = (5 g * 500 mL) / 100 mL
x = 25 g
Therefore, there are **25 grams of dextrose** in 500 mL of D5W.
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