What is the most reliable method to calculate a pediatric ...

[cmoore54]

What is the most reliable method to calculate a pediatric patient's medication dosage?
 
  a. Age
  b. Height
  c. Body surface area (BSA)
  d. Placement on a growth scale

Question 2

Which action will the nurse take when it is determined that the narcotic count is incorrect while obtaining a medication from the narcotic area?
 
  a. Determine the cause of the discrepancy at the end of the shift.
  b. Notify the health care provider stat.
  c. Call the nurse from the previous shift to determine if there was a discrepancy earlier.
  d. Report the discrepancy to the charge nurse immediately.

[wshriver]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The most reliable method is by proportional amount of BSA or body weight. Because of the differences in weight among children, age is not a reliable method. Because of the differences in height among children, this is not a reliable method. Placement on a growth scale identifies how the child corresponds to other children on a percentile. Although it is determined by a specific measurement, the percentile identified would not be a specific measurement; therefore, this is not a reliable method.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Reporting the discrepancy to the charge nurse immediately enables the supervisory staff to narrow the time frame during which a medication was taken and not documented. The discrepancy needs to be addressed immediately, and therefore determining the cause of the discrepancy at the end of the shift is not the most appropriate action for the nurse to take. It is not appropriate to contact the health care provider for an incorrect narcotic count. The count would have been verified at shift change; calling the nurse from the previous shift is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take.

[cmoore54]

Excellent

[covalentbond]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it