Chapter 10, Pediatric and geriatric considerations. This chapter includes drug orders based upon body weight. It introduces body surface area (BSA) calculations. Discussions of special concerns for pediatric and geriatric patients are also presented.
MathforthePharmacyTechnician: ConceptsandCalculations EglerBooth Chapter10:PediatricandGeriatric Considerations McGrawưHill â2010bytheMcGrawưHillCompanies,IncAllRightsReserved PediatricandGeriatric Considerations McGrawưHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 103 Learning Objectives When you have successfully completed Chapter 10, you will have mastered skills to be able to: Explain why dosages calculations for specific populations must be based on the individual patient Identify factors that affect the absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination of drugs in special populations Determine safe doses for special population patients McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 104 Learning Objectives (con’t) Determine safe doses for special populations Calculate patient dosages based on body weight Calculate pediatric dosages using Clark’s Rule Calculate pediatric dosages using Young’s Rule McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 105 Learning Objectives (con’t) Find a patient’s body surface area (BSA) Calculate patient dosages based on a patient’s BSA McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 106 Introduction Two special populations require extra consideration when calculating medication dosages Pediatric (children under age 18) Geriatric (mature adults over age 65) Risk of harm is far greater due to way they break down and absorb medications McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 107 Introduction (con’t) Clarify all confusing drug orders Calculate with absolute accuracy Verify that dose is safe Seek assistance from your supervisor Do not take short cuts with medication calculations McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 108 Factors that Impact Dosing Normal dose of medication makes assumptions About the patient’s body and age That body systems are fully developed and functioning Special populations may need dosages adjusted due to this assumption not being true McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 109 Pharmacokinetics Study of how drugs are used by the body Absorption Distribution Biotransformation Elimination Understanding these processes allows for adjustments for special populations McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1010 Absorption Process that moves a drug from the site where it is given into the bloodstream IV medications bypass the absorption process by going directly into the bloodstream Oral medications absorbed in digestive system Topical absorbed through the skin McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1032 Pediatric Specific Dosage Calculations (con’t) Young’s Rule for children’s dosage calculations uses the following formula. (this formula can be used only if the child is a least 1 year of age): child's ageinyears child's agein years 12years McGrawHill average adultdose pediatric patient' s dose ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1033 Review and Practice Pediatric Specific Dosage Calculations (con’t) Using Young’s Rule, find the amount to be dispensed. The patient is a 6yearold child who weighs 50 lb; the average adult dose is 250 mg years 250mg years 12 years McGrawHill 83.3 mg ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1034 Dosages Based on Body Surface Area (BSA) BSA calculations are used to provide more accurate dosage calculations specific to the patient’s size and severity of his/her illness Some medications are based on patient’s body weight only Both weight and height are used to determine a patient’s body surface McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved Calculating BSA Using a Formula 1035 A patient’s BSA is stated in square meters or m2 To calculate the BSA you must know the height and weight Use a formula or a special chart called a nomogram McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1036 Calculating BSA Using a Formula To determine a patient’s Body Surface Area (BSA): 1. If you know the height in cm and weight in kg, calculate BSA height (cm) weight (kg) m2 3600 McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1037 Calculating BSA Using a Formula (con’t) 2. If you know the height in inches and weight in pounds, calculate BSA height (in) weight (lb)m2 3131 McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1038 Review and Practice Calculating BSA Using a Formula (con’t) Find the body surface area for an adult who is 5’6” tall and who weighs 168 lb BSA = 1.9 m2 McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1039 Calculating the Body Surface Area (BSA) using a Nomogram Using a straight edge, align the straight edge so it intersects at the height and weight Doing so will create an intersection in the BSA scale McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved Review and Practice Calculating the BSA using a Nomogram (con’t) Find the body surface for a baby who is 24 in and weighs 14 lb and 8 oz Use the “Child’s Nomogram” BSA = 0.21 m2 McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1040 1041 Calculating Dosage Based on BSA Calculating dosage based on BSA: 1. Calculate the patient’s BSA 2. Calculate the desired dose: dosage ordered x BSA = desired dose 3. Confirm whether or not the desired dose is safe. If unsafe, consult the physician who wrote the order 4. Calculate the amount to administer, using fraction proportions, ratio proportions, or the formula method McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved Review and Practice 1042 Calculating Dosage Based on BSA (con’t) Ordered: Ceenu (1st dose) 140 mg now for a child whose height is 38 in and weight is 47 lb According to the package the first dose is a single oral dose providing 130 mg/m2 The dose ordered 140 mg is above the first recommended dose. Contact the physician McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1043 Review and Practice True or False A baby who weighs 6 lb 8 oz weighs 6.8 lb Answer: False McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1044 Review and Practice True or False A baby who weighs 9.5 lb weighs 9 lb 8 oz Answer: True McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1045 Review and Practice What two things are pediatric dosages often based on? Answer: Weight and BSA McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 1046 Pediatric and Geriatric Calculations No matter how rushed you may feel, you cannot take shortcuts with any medication calculations, especially patients from special populations. THE END McGrawHill ©2010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved ... Study of how drugs are used by the body Absorption Distribution Biotransformation Elimination Understanding these processes allows for adjustments for special populations McGrawHill ©2 010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved... Topical absorbed through the skin McGrawHill ©2 010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 10 11 Distribution Process that moves the drug from the bloodstream to other body tissues and fluids... measure the medication, you have the responsibility to check whether the dose is the standard recommended dose. McGrawHill ©2 010 by the McGrawHill Companies, Inc All Rights Reserved 10 21 Ensuring Safe Dosages (cont.)