Central and Peripheral Medication Administration Practices in Pediatric Patients

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Several medication properties should be considered when deciding on central versus peripheral administration, including osmolarity, pH, and concentration. The cumulative risk of phlebitis and the caustic nature of some medications due to these properties will help guide the practitioner, pharmacist, and bedside nurse to determine the ideal prescribing, preparation, and administration techniques to avoid extravasation. Medications that are caustic, high volume or concentration, or a high osmolarity may require central venous catheter administration to avoid burning and to limit the likelihood of extravasation. The purpose of this article is to review complications of central venous catheters, to explain medication properties that should be evaluated when deciding on central or peripheral administration, and to evaluate the literature on peripheral administration of historically centrally administered medications..

Objectives

Identify complications of central venous catheters
Describe medication properties that should be evaluated when deciding on central or peripheral administration.
Assess and analyze medication properties along with primary literature to determine appropriate peripheral or central administration

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity, read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes, and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for 1.00 contact hours.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.