Final answer:
Key medication administration instructions for a child with an ear infection include possibly taking the antibiotic on an empty stomach, shaking the suspension well, understanding if it's safe to mix it with food or drinks if needed, and importantly, finishing the entire course of antibiotics to ensure effectiveness and prevent resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When providing medication administration instructions for a 7-year-old with an ear infection, it is important to include several key points to ensure proper treatment and prevent resistance. First, for certain medications including some antibiotics, it may be advised to administer the antibiotic on an empty stomach for better absorption, but this advice can vary depending on the specific medication prescribed. Second, it is essential that the parents shake the antibiotic suspension well before measuring the dose to ensure proper distribution of the medication within the suspension. Third, some healthcare providers might recommend mixing the antibiotic with a small amount of food or drink to improve taste, but you should always confirm that mixing with food or drinks is appropriate with the specific medication being prescribed, as it can affect absorption in certain cases. Lastly, and most crucially, the importance of completing the entire course of antibiotics cannot be overstated, even if the child's symptoms improve before the medication is finished. This practice helps to ensure that all the bacteria are eliminated and reduces the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.