Which action should a nurse take when preparing to administer medication to a toddler?

Calculating the safe dosage is crucial when administering medication to a toddler. This age group is particularly sensitive to medication errors because their bodies are smaller, and their metabolic rates can vary significantly from older children and adults. Therefore, the nurse must ensure that the correct dosage is determined based on the toddler's weight and age to avoid potential underdosing or overdosing.

In addition to being accurate, calculating the safe dosage allows the nurse to reference established guidelines and dosing charts, which helps in promoting safety and efficacy in medication administration. This action is fundamental to the nursing process and reflects a commitment to patient safety, which is paramount in pediatric care.

While identifying the toddler and involving the parent are essential components of the medication administration process, they do not directly address the safety concerns inherent in the actual medication preparation and delivery. Likewise, asking the toddler about a toy can help with distraction during administration but does not impact the critical task of ensuring the appropriate dose. Ultimately, calculating the safe dosage is a non-negotiable step in ensuring safe medication administration to a toddler.