Author Question: An infant has allergies and often develops a pruritic rash when exposed to allergens. The infant's ... (Read 77 times)

laurencescou · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

An infant has allergies and often develops a pruritic rash when exposed to allergens. The infant's parents ask the nurse about using a topical antihistamine. What does the nurse tell them?

a. Antihistamines given by this route are not absorbed as well in children.
b. Applying this medication to the skin can cause toxicity in this age group.
c. The child will also need oral medication to achieve effective results.
d. Topical medications have fewer side effects than those given by other routes.

Question 2

A breast-feeding patient must take a prescription medication for 2 weeks. The medication is safe, but the patient wants to make sure her baby receives as little of the drug as possible. What will the nurse tell the patient?

a. To give the baby formula as long as the mother is taking the medication
b. To take the medication immediately after breast-feeding
c. To pump breast milk and feed the baby by bottle
d. To take the medication 1 hour before breast-feeding

welcom1000 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Drug absorption through the skin is more rapid in infants, because their skin is thinner and has greater blood flow; therefore, infants are at increased risk of toxicity from topical drugs. Because of increased drug absorption through the skin, infants should not be given additional drugs via other routes. If a drug is more likely to be absorbed rapidly, it will have more side effects.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Taking the medication immediately after breast-feeding minimizes the drug concentration in the breast milk at the next feeding. Disrupting breast-feeding is not indicated. Pumping the breast milk will not diminish the drugs or drug concentration in the breast milk. Taking the medication 1 hour before breast-feeding will increase concentrations of the drug in the breast milk.