An appropriate method for administering oral medications that are ...

[ETearle]

An appropriate method for administering oral medications that are bitter to an infant or small child would be to mix them with:
 
  a. a bottle of formula or milk.
  b. any food the child is going to eat.
  c. a small amount (1 teaspoon) of a sweet-tasting substance such as jam or ice cream.
  d. large amounts of water to dilute medication sufficiently.

Question 2

A nurse must do a venipuncture on a 6-year-old child. Which is an important consideration in providing atraumatic care?
 
  a. Use an 18-gauge needle if possible.
  b. If not successful after four attempts, have another nurse try.
  c. Restrain child only as needed to perform venipuncture safely.
  d. Show child equipment to be used before procedure.

[kiamars2010]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Mix the drug with a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) of sweet-tasting substance. This will make the medication more palatable to the child. The medication should be mixed with only a small amount of food or liquid. If the child does not finish drinking or eating, it is difficult to determine how much medication was consumed. Medication should not be mixed with essential foods and milk. The child may associate the altered taste with the food and refuse to eat in the future.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Restrain child only as needed to perform the procedure safely; use therapeutic hugging. Use the smallest gauge needle that permits free flow of blood. A two-try-only policy is desirable, in which two operators each have only two attempts. If insertion is not successful after four punctures, alternative venous access should be considered. Keep all equipment out of sight until used.