Author Question: Parents ask the nurse why an over-the-counter cough suppressant with sedative side effects is not ... (Read 93 times)

natalie2426 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Parents ask the nurse why an over-the-counter cough suppressant with sedative side effects is not recommended for infants. Which response by the nurse is correct?

a. Babies have a more rapid gastric empty-ing time and don't absorb drugs well.
b. Cough medicine tastes bad, and infants usually won't take it.
c. Infants are more susceptible to central nervous system effects than are adults.
d. Infants metabolize drugs too rapidly, so drugs aren't as effective.

Question 2

A prescriber orders transdermal clonidine Catapres TTS for a patient with hypertension. What will the nurse teach this patient?

a. That medication given by transdermal patch has fewer systemic side effects
b. That localized skin reactions are uncom-mon
c. To apply the patch to intact skin on the forearm or leg
d. To change the patch every week

ong527 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Drugs cross the blood-brain barrier more readily in infants, making these patients more suscepti-ble to central nervous system (CNS) side effects. Infants have a prolonged and irregular gastric emptying time and absorb drugs in the stomach more quickly. Although it may be true that cough medicines taste bad and are difficult to administer, this is not a contraindication to giving them. Infants metabolize drugs more slowly.

Answer to Question 2

D
Transdermal patches are to be changed every 7 days. Medication administered by patch has the same therapeutic effect and adverse effects as that given by other routes, except that localized skin reactions may occur and are common with clonidine patches. The patch should be applied to intact, hairless skin on the upper arm or torso.