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If administering medication to a 2-month-old, what should a nurse do?

User Karlene
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A nurse should follow the 'five rights' of medication administration for infants, use the appropriate equipment, consider the child's developmental stage, communicate soothingly, and monitor for reactions when administering medication to a 2-month-old infant.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering medication to a 2-month-old infant, a nurse should adhere to specific guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. First and foremost, the nurse should verify the correct medication, dose, route, time, and patient, following the 'five rights' of medication administration. It's crucial to use the proper equipment, like a syringe designed for infants, to administer the correct dose. The nurse should also consider the infant's development stage; at two months, they can hold their head up, which may influence how they are positioned during medication administration.

In addition to these precautions, the nurse must communicate gently and calmly with the infant, provide comfort, and possibly engage the parents or caregivers in the process to soothe the baby. Lastly, the nurse should monitor the infant for any adverse reactions after administering the medication and document the administration according to the healthcare facility's protocol.

User Jacob B
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