Key Concepts
Overview
Infant medication administration ties high-yield nursing judgment to airway, perfusion, infection control, and safe medication administration. Infants have immature hepatic enzymes, higher body water, lower plasma protein binding, and narrow therapeutic windows—dosing is weight-based (mg/kg) with double-check policies for high-alert drugs. Liquid formulations require exact mL measurement with oral syringes (not household spoons), shake suspensions, and verify concentration (e.g., acetaminophen mg/5 mL variants). Routes include oral, IV, IM, rectal, and ophthalmic/otic—each with positioning and aspiration precautions. IV extravasation risk is higher with small veins; secure lines, use smallest appropriate catheter, and monitor sites frequently. Codeine/tramadol themes: avoid in ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolizers and young children when exam stems reference FDA cautions—morphine alternatives per modern practice appear as safer teaching. Cross-link US RN lessons hub · Canada RN lessons hub and related LESSON cards where the stem crosses systems. Pathophysiology in plain language. Think in layers: cells → organs → whole-person compensation. When a stem describes acute change (fever, pain, new neuro deficit, hypoxia, hypotension), ask what system is failing to compensate and what reversible threat is most time-sensitive. Nurses are the...