**6.4.43 Vecuronium**

*Uses:* Loosening the muscles before surgery.

*Dose:* 0.1. Mg/kg IV

*Adverse Effects:* The preparation is generally well tolerated. <1/1000- Allergic reactions. Allergic shock. Irritation at the injection site (Young & Mangum, 2010).

#### **6.4.44 Vitamin K**

*Uses:* Prophylaxis and therapy on hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Treatment of hypoprothrombinemia secondary to factors limiting absorption or synthesis of vitamin K.

*Dose:* Preterm infants, 32 weeks gestation: BW > 1000 grams: 0.5 mg/kg IM. BW < 1000 grams: 0.3 mg/kg IM (Young & Mangum, 2010).

The Administration and Dose of Most Frequently Used Drugs in Pediatrics 335

1. *Correct Drug:* The nurse should know the name and commercial name of the drug given by its first manufacturer. Name and dose should be checked three times before the use

2. *Correct Dose:* The dose should be calculated according to the body weight (kg) and its surface area (m2). It is highly important to measure all the drugs properly (Çavuşoğlu,

3. *Correct Route:* The recommended route is checked along with the availability of that route and the condition of infant for that route (Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006; Eroğlu 2002). 4. *Correct Patient (infant):* Each hospital has its own way of patient identification and recognition. There may be ID cards attached to the wrists or ankles for these purposes. Name of the child should be double-checked to avoid any confusion (Çavuşoğlu, 2000;

5. *Correct Timing:* It takes longer time to administer drug to infants than administering it to adult patients. In this sense, timing of the previous administration should be checked carefully; and if it was not timely made, a new time-schedule should be arranged

6. *Correct Approach:* During drug administration to infants, their fears, weaknesses and their ways for dealing with them are taken into account with regards to their

7. *Correct Information:* The child and family should be informed about the purpose and duration of the drug treatment along with its desired effects and potential side effects. By this way, the recommended drugs can be used more safely (Çavuşoğlu, 2000;

8. *Correct Record:* Prior to administration the nurse writes down the name of the drug, its dose, administration hour, and administration route on the observation form. The nurse performing this administration signs up the observation form with his / her name

Pediatric drug doses are calculated according to body weight and body surface. Body surface area of the infants in proportion to their weight is much larger than that of the children and adults. This is why the dose for infants calculated with body surface is much higher than that calculated with body weight. Therefore, during the premature term and infancy periods body surface area is not used for dose calculation purposes (Çetinkaya

Generally, pediatric drug doses are described as gram or milligram per kilogram of body weight. Safe dose amounts differ according to infant's age and his/her ability to metabolize the drug. Before any drug is administered the recommended dose is checked and rechecked whether it should have been calculated properly. So there should be a drug guide in each

Since the pediatric doses are relatively fewer than adult ones, any mistake in the amount may have serious consequences. The biggest responsibility in drug administration falls onto nurses. The nurse should be well aware of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of the drugs in order to assess the clinical effects and risky conditions (Çetinkaya

accordingly (Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006; McKinney et al, 2000).

development levels (Çavuşoğlu, 2000; Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006).

(Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006; McKinney et al, 2000).

(Çavuşoğlu, 2000; Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006).

2000; Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006; Oval 2002).

Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006).

Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006).

pediatric unit (Çetinkaya &Tengir, 2006).

&Tengir, 2006).

&Tengir, 2006).
