Medicating young or very young patients--part I

Children enter an orthopaedic treatment environment for a variety of reasons. Some of these pediatric patients will be seen in practices specializing in pediatric orthopedics. However, many young patients with less demanding problems will be seen in family practice settings and general orthopaedic areas. Medicating these children safely and effectively and educating parents about a child's medications are important aspects of good nursing care. In this first discussion about pediatric medications, the unique considerations about medicating children at different ages are addressed. Adherence considerations are identified, guidelines for talking with children about medications are identified, and improvements in the regulations that are designed to increase knowledge about safety and efficacy in pediatric pharmacology are reviewed. The second part of this discussion addresses examples of drugs used to address selected common health problems in pediatric patients and will be published in the May/June 2007 issue of Orthopaedic Nursing.