Final answer:
The nurse should calculate the correct antibiotic dosage based on the child's mass, ensure it's suitable for the infection, complete the full prescribed course, and be mindful of the child's metabolism, elimination capabilities, and potential side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
To minimize the adverse effects when prescribing antibiotics to a 2-year-old, the nurse should consider several important factors. First, the dosage and route of administration should be carefully calculated based on the child's mass to ensure therapeutic levels are achieved without causing toxicity. It is also important to account for pediatric patients' metabolism and elimination capabilities, which can differ from adults. A history of liver or kidney dysfunction could affect drug clearance and lead to increased risk of side effects.
Ensuring that the prescribed antibiotic is appropriate for the identified infection is crucial, and the nurse should reassure the parents about the necessity of completing the full course of antibiotics to prevent resistant strains from developing. Parental education can help them understand the importance of the correct use of antibiotics and adhering to the prescribed treatment. Assessing and mitigating the potential for allergic reactions or other serious side effects is a part of the nurse's role in optimizing treatment outcomes for young children.