Assignment: Off-Label Drug Use in Pediatrics
The unapproved use of approved drugs, also called off-label use, with children is quite common. This is because pediatric dosage guidelines are typically unavailable, since very few drugs have been specifically researched and tested with children.
When treating children, prescribers often adjust dosages approved for adults to accommodate a child’s weight. However, children are not just “smaller” adults. Adults and children process and respond to drugs differently in their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
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Children even respond differently during stages from infancy to adolescence. This poses potential safety concerns when prescribing drugs to pediatric patients. As an advanced practice nurse, you have to be aware of safety implications of the off-label use of drugs with this patient group.
To Prepare
• Review the interactive media piece in this week’s Resources and reflect on the types of drugs used to treat pediatric patients with mood disorders.
• Reflect on situations in which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use.
• Think about strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence. Consider specific off-label drugs that you think require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics.
By Day 5 of Week 11
Write a 1-page narrative in APA format that addresses the following:
• Explain the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. Be specific and provide examples.
• Describe strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence. Include descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center offers an example of those required elements (available at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/57.htm). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
http://cdnfiles.laureate.net/2dett4d/Walden/NURS/6521/05/mm/decision_trees/week_02/index.html
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explain the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use. Be specific and provide examples. |
The response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use.
The response includes accurate and specific examples that fully support the explanation provided. |
The response accurately explains the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use.
The response includes accurate examples that support the explanation provided. |
The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use.
The response includes inaccurate or vague examples that may or may not support the explanation provided. |
The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the circumstances under which children should be prescribed drugs for off-label use, or is missing.
The response includes inaccurate and vague examples that do not support the explanation provided, or is missing. |
| Explain strategies to making off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence and descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics. Be specific. |
The response accurately and clearly describes in detail strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence.
The response includes accurate, complete, and detailed descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics. |
The response accurately describes strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence.
The response includes accurate descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics. |
The response inaccurately or vaguely describes strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence.
The response includes inaccurate or vague descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics. |
The response inaccurately and vaguely describes strategies to make the off-label use and dosage of drugs safer for children from infancy to adolescence, or is missing.
The response includes inaccurate and vague or incomplete descriptions and names of off-label drugs that require extra care and attention when used in pediatrics, or is missing. |
| Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. |
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. |
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time. |
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity less than 60% of the time. |
| Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation |
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors |
Contains a few (1–2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3–4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors |
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding |
| Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
Uses correct APA format with no errors |
Contains a few (1–2) APA format errors |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3–4) APA format errors |
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors |
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