A 2-year-old who swallowed an overdose of adult cough syrup is being discharged from the emergency department. The parent says to the nurse, "From now on, I'm going to store all medicines in my top dresser drawer." Which is the best response by the nurse?

Question

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Children are naturally curious and attracted to medicine, especially if it is sweet and syrupy like many over-the-counter cold products. They usually find medicines when exploring their environment and "getting into everything" when no one is watching. Children may find medicine in a parent's coat pocket or purse, under a counter cabinet, or on a nightstand. Even if a drug is stored in a place that seems out of reach, children can climb on a chair or stool to reach it. Medications are the leading cause of child poisoning. The best preventive measures include placing all medications out of sight, placing them in a drawer or cabinet with a childproof lock, and putting them away after each use (Option A). (Option B) Advising a parent/caregiver to ensure that medicine containers have childproof caps is an appropriate instruction; however, it is not the priority response in this situation. (Option C) Storing medicines in a dresser drawer is not a safe plan unless the drawer can be locked. (Option D) Although it is impossible for a parent or caregiver to watch a child every minute of the day, toddlers need adult supervision when active and exploring their environment. Educational objective: The most important strategy to prevent accidental drug overdoses in children is teaching parents and caregivers to keep medicines out of sight, in a locked drawer or cabinet. Parents/caregivers should also be advised to put drugs away after each use.

A 2-Year-Old Who Swallowed an Overdose of Adult Cough Syrup