Which factor should the nurse remember when administering topical medication to an infant as compared with an adolescent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infants and young children have a thinner outer skin layer (stratum corneum),which increases the absorption of topical medication.A similar dose of a topical medication administered to an infant compared with an adult is approximately three times greater in the infant because of the greater body surface area.The smaller muscle mass in infants affects site selection for injected medications but should not affect administration of topical medications.The young child's skin is more prone to irritation,making contact dermatitis and other allergic reactions more common.

Which Factor Should the Nurse Remember When Administering Topical Medication