Pediatric Nursing: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

1Formulas and methods

Pediatric nursing

Method

  1. Note the child’s age first: it sets the normal vital signs, the milestones and the right pain scale.
  2. Assess airway, breathing and circulation, remembering that children compensate and then deteriorate fast.
  3. Match the action to the development stage and involve the family.
  4. Check that the answer is safe for a child: weight-based, no aspirin in viral illness, no codeine under 12.

Pediatric & critical-care dosing

Daily dose
mg/day = mg/kg/day × weight (kg)
Doses per day
number = 24 h / dosing interval (h)
Pounds to kilograms
kg = lb / 2.2
Infusion concentration
units/mL = units in bag / bag volume
Pump rate
mL/h = dose per hour / concentration
Titrated drip
mL/h = mcg/kg/min × kg × 60 / (mcg/mL)
Dose from pump rate
mcg/kg/min = mL/h × (mcg/mL) / (60 × kg)
Units
1 mg = 1000 mcg

IV fluids & fluid balance

Holliday–Segar per hour
4 mL/kg (first 10 kg) + 2 mL/kg (next 10 kg) + 1 mL/kg (each kg above 20)
Holliday–Segar per day
100 / 50 / 20 mL/kg for the same bands
Fluid balance
intake − output
Ice chips
count as half their volume
Urine output
mL/kg/h = mL / (kg × h)
Infusion time
time (h) = volume left (mL) / rate (mL/h)
Volume infused
mL = rate × time

2Practice problems

1.Pediatric nursingMedium

Which stool pattern is typical of Hirschsprung disease in an older child?

  1. APale, bulky, fatty stools that float and are hard to flush, with a large appetite
  2. BNormal stools with occasional itching around the anus at night
  3. CFrequent bloody diarrhoea with fever after eating chicken
  4. DChronic constipation with thin, ribbon-like, foul-smelling stools and distension
2.Pediatric nursingHard

A child with extensive burns is receiving IV fluid resuscitation. Which finding best shows that fluid replacement is adequate?

  1. AA urine output of about 1 mL/kg per hour
  2. BThe blood pressure is in the high range
  3. CThe child is asking for a drink
  4. DThe burned skin looks less red and the blisters are smaller
3.Pediatric & critical-care dosingMedium
100 units250 mLregular insulin? mL/h4 units/h

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion contains 100 units of regular insulin in 250 mL. The order is 4 units/h. Find the pump rate R in mL/h. Round to one decimal place.

100 units/250 mL4 units/h
R = mL/h
4.Pediatric & critical-care dosingHard
250 mg250 mLdobutamine26 mL/h55 kg? mcg/kg/min

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dobutamine infusion of 250 mg in 250 mL runs at 26 mL/h. The patient weighs 55 kg. What dose D in mcg/kg/min is the patient receiving? Round to one decimal place.

250 mg/250 mL26 mL/h55 kg
D = mcg/kg/min
5.IV fluids & fluid balanceMedium
IntakeOutput12-hour shifttea150 mLsoup200 mLjuice120 mLice chips240 mLIV infusion100 mL/h × 12 hIV antibiotic1 × 100 mLurine375 mLurine250 mLvomit100 mL

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). The record shows a patient's intake and output for one 12-hour shift. The IV infusion ran at the rate shown for the whole shift. Find the fluid balance B = intake − output in mL (a negative answer means a net loss). Count ice chips as half their volume.

tea: 150 mLsoup: 200 mLjuice: 120 mLice chips: 240 mLIV infusion: 100 mL/h × 12 hIV antibiotic: 1 × 100 mLurine: 375 mLurine: 250 mLvomit: 100 mL
B = mL
6.IV fluids & fluid balanceHard
1000 mL450 mL infused150 mL/h11:00t = ? h

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A 1000 mL bag runs by pump at 150 mL/h. At 11:00, 450 mL have already been infused. How many hours t until the bag is empty? Round to one decimal place.

1000 mL450 mL infused150 mL/h
t = h

3Solutions

1.Pediatric nursing

Answer: D · Chronic constipation with thin, ribbon-like, foul-smelling stools and distension

Why this is the answer

In children diagnosed later, Hirschsprung disease causes chronic constipation, abdominal distension, poor growth and thin, ribbon-like, foul-smelling stools. Most cases are found in the newborn period with delayed meconium.

Answer

D · Chronic constipation with thin, ribbon-like, foul-smelling stools and distension
2.Pediatric nursing

Answer: A · A urine output of about 1 mL/kg per hour

Why this is the answer

Urine output, usually measured by catheter, is the main guide to fluid resuscitation in burns. In children, an output of about 1 mL/kg/hour suggests adequate perfusion; fluids are adjusted to keep it in the target range.

Answer

A · A urine output of about 1 mL/kg per hour
3.Pediatric & critical-care dosing

Answer: R = 10 mL/h

Heparin and insulin infusions: concentration = units in the bag/bag volume (units/mL). Pump rate (mL/h) = units per hour/concentration, and units per hour = mL/h × concentration. For a weight-based order, units/h = units/kg/h × weight first. A bolus volume = units needed/vial strength. The numbers are for practice only; at the bedside always follow local protocols and have high-risk doses double-checked.

Concentration

100/250 = 0.4 units/mL

Pump rate

R = 4/0.4 = 10 mL/h

Answer

R = 10 mL/h
4.Pediatric & critical-care dosing

Answer: D = 7.9 mcg/kg/min

Titrated drips: first find the concentration in mcg/mL (mg × 1000/mL). For a weight-based order, mcg/min = mcg/kg/min × weight. Then mL/h = mcg/min × 60/concentration. Working backwards, mcg/kg/min = mL/h × concentration/(60 × weight). The numbers are for practice only; at the bedside always follow local protocols and have high-risk doses double-checked.

Concentration

250 000/250 = 1000 mcg/mL

Micrograms per minute

26·1000 = 26000 mcg/h
26000/60 = 433.3 mcg/min

Per kilogram

D = 433.3/55 = 7.879 ≈ 7.9 mcg/kg/min

Answer

D = 7.9 mcg/kg/min
5.IV fluids & fluid balance

Answer: B = 1165 mL

Intake and output: intake counts everything that goes in (oral fluids, IV infusions, IV medications and flushes, tube feeds); ice chips count as half their volume. Output counts urine, drains, vomit and other losses. Balance = total intake − total output; a negative balance is a net loss. The numbers are for practice only; at the bedside always follow local protocols and have high-risk doses double-checked.

Total intake

oral: 150 + 200 + 120 = 470 mL
ice chips: 240/2 = 120 mL
IV infusion: 100·12 = 1200 mL
IV antibiotic: 1·100 = 100 mL
total intake = 1890 mL

Total output

375 + 250 + 100 = 725 mL

Balance

B = 1890 − 725 = 1165 mL

Answer

B = 1165 mL

Positive: more fluid went in than came out.

6.IV fluids & fluid balance

Answer: t = 3.7 h

Infusion time: time (h) = volume to infuse (mL)/rate (mL/h); use the volume still left in the bag, not the bag size. Volume infused = rate × time. Convert decimal hours to hours and minutes with the fraction × 60 (0.5 h = 30 min, not 50 min). The numbers are for practice only; at the bedside always follow local protocols and have high-risk doses double-checked.

Volume left

1000 − 450 = 550 mL

Time

t = 550/150 = 3.667 ≈ 3.7 h

Answer

t = 3.7 h

That is about 3 h 40 min, so the bag runs out at about 14:40.

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/pediatric-nursing