title: Administration of over-the-counter medication to children at home--a survey of parents from community health centers.
abstract: Parents (n = 135) were surveyed in relation to administering antipyretic/analgesic medications to their children (2 months-6 years) at home. Parents usually chose acetaminophen, calculated dosages based on weight but did not always know the child's weight, administered medications with a dropper, and reported having a sick child was moderately stressful. Many children were medicated for pain and/or fever during the week prior to immunization and many weighed more than the age/weight recommended dosages on the label. Community health nurses can facilitate safe administration of medications by integrating knowledge of parents' pain and fever management practices into discussions and anticipatory planning during clinic visits.
authors.affiliation: Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. canderso@grenfell.mun.ca
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rolfe
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brennan-Hunter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010290:Parents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D058633:Antipyretics; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs