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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Accidental intravenous administration of paracetamol syrup in a child
D El Mazloum1, A Boner1, A Pietrobelli1
1Department of life and reproduction sciences, pediatrics, university of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Insights
Medication errors like administering paracetamol intravenously instead of orally can happen. Standardizing oral syringes and improving nurse supervision can prevent such critical medication administration errors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Patient safety
- Clinical pharmacology
Background:
- Medication administration errors are a significant concern in healthcare settings.
- Accurate drug delivery is crucial for effective patient treatment and outcomes.
Observation:
- An 18-month-old child received paracetamol syrup for fever.
- A nursing error resulted in intravenous administration of the oral medication via peripheral venous access.
Findings:
- The child was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit.
- Clinical improvement was observed, and risks of embolism were ruled out.
Implications:
- Implementing standardized oral syringes can prevent medication errors.
- Enhanced supervision for new nursing graduates is essential.
- Effective communication strategies are vital when disclosing medical errors to parents.
Objective And Importance:
Medication administration errors occur frequently in clinical practice.
Clinical Presentation:
An 18-month-old child presented with vomiting and diarrhea. Due to a rise in temperature, paracetamol syrup was prescribed, but a nurse inadvertently administered the drug IV through the peripheral venous access.
Intervention:
The child was referred to the pediatric intensive care unit where his clinical condition improved and the risk of peripheral venous and pulmonary embolism was excluded.
Conclusion:
The use of specific oral syringes should become a standard of practice in every healthcare organization and more supervision of new nurse graduates is necessary. Also, attention to the relationship with parents should be guaranteed because the communication of medical errors is a highly challenging aspect of these errors.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

