Question

Discuss all of the baseline assessments necessary before initiation of medication in children and adolescents.

Answer 1

Medication is the basic thing required for treating an illness in the healthcare field.When giving medication to an adult it is little easier as they are understandable but it is not the same in case of children or adolescent who neither cooperate or able to accept things easily like an adult

The baseline assessment necessary before initiation of medication in children and adolescents are

• Check their vital signs ,the basic requirement to assess their status
• Get the complete clinical history from parents,friends or care givers how they respond yo third person or a stranger
• Whether the child is cooperative and free of any mental illness
• In adolescent assess for any behaviour like anger,tension,stress which may interrupt conversation.
• Check the medication ordered ,follow rights of medication administration
• Assess whether they have eaten or not ,because certain medicines are given in empty stomach and others after food.
• General examination (physical) of the child for any deformities that may interrupt medication administration
• Ensure the medication is not to be given when they are sleeping to avoid aspiration
• Assess for requirement,indication of the medication before administration