ATI Pharmacology Exam Practice Related

Review ATI Pharmacology Exam Practice related questions and content

When administering medications to a 4-month-old infant, which of the following pharmacokinetic principles should be considered? (Select all that apply.)

  • A. Infants have a more rapid gastric emptying time.
  • B. Infants have immature liver function.
  • C. Infants' blood-brain barrier is poorly developed.
  • D. Infants have an increased ability to absorb topical medications.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When administering medications to a 4-month-old infant, the pharmacokinetic principle to consider is that infants have immature liver function until 1 year of age. This requires medications metabolized by the liver to be administered in smaller dosages. While infants do have a more rapid gastric emptying time, immature liver function is a more critical pharmacokinetic consideration in this context. Additionally, although infants have a poorly developed blood-brain barrier, this relates more to pharmacodynamic effects rather than pharmacokinetic principles. The statement about infants having an increased ability to absorb topical medications is not directly related to pharmacokinetic principles, making choice B the correct answer.