Final answer:
A nurse might a) mix the medication with a child's favourite drink, hide it in a snack, administer it quickly and assertively, or offer it in a large quantity of liquid. When oral administration is not effective, parenteral administration may be used for better plasma levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strategy a nurse might use when administering oral medications to a young child who is reluctant to take it is to:
- Mix it with a favourite drink
- Hide it in a snack
- Administer it quickly and assertively
- Offer it in a large quantity of liquid
However, when oral administration is not suitable, due to absorption issues in the GI tract, the preferred method in healthcare settings is parenteral administration, such as intravenous or intramuscular injection. The plasma levels achieved by intravenous administration are typically higher than those achieved by oral or intramuscular routes. This fact is important especially for treating infections, as adequate plasma levels of a medication are necessary to effectively combat pathogens.