Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

What should be done to avoid excessively high blood levels when administering drug doses in pediatric emergency care?

1. Administer all doses quickly to achieve rapid effects

2. Administer drug doses over several minutes

3. Utilize oral medications exclusively

4. Deliver drug doses without any monitoring

The correct answer is: Administer drug doses over several minutes

Administering drug doses over several minutes is essential in pediatric emergency care to avoid excessively high blood levels. Pediatric patients have different pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics compared to adults, meaning their bodies process medications differently. Administering medications slowly allows for a more controlled absorption into the bloodstream, which can help prevent peaks in drug levels that could lead to toxicity. This approach also provides the healthcare provider with the opportunity to monitor the child’s response to the medication during the administration period, allowing for adjustments if necessary. Rapid administration, as suggested in the first option, may lead to bolus dosing, increasing the risk of adverse effects. The use of oral medications exclusively, as mentioned in another option, is not practical for emergency situations where immediate effects are needed. Additionally, providing drug doses without monitoring can lead to severe complications, especially in pediatric patients, who may have unpredictable reactions to medications. Therefore, the practice of administering drug doses over several minutes ensures safety and efficacy in managing children's responses to treatment.