Test your knowledge of paediatric health

An opportunity to test your knowledge on various aspects of paediatric health, from medicines and vaccinations to respiratory and dermatological conditions.

Research suggests that medication errors are more common in children and young people than in adults, as well as being more likely to cause harm. It is therefore vital that pharmacists across all sectors have the appropriate knowledge and skills to feel confident when treating this vulnerable patient population.

This quiz has been designed to complement the new paediatric health hub page. It is divided into three categories: medicines, conditions, and safeguarding and wellbeing. Each question includes a link to a relevant Pharmaceutical Journal article providing more information on the topic. Work your way through the quiz by expanding the questions in the boxes below. When you have answered all the questions, select ‘Finish quiz’ at the bottom of the page to see your score.

Medicines use

Excipients

Children may not be able to metabolise or eliminate excipients in the same way as adults owing to physiological and developmental differences. Expand question 1 to test your knowledge.

Adult giving son medicine

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This question is from ‘How to identify and manage ‘problem’ excipients in medicines for children’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Corticosteroids

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that is essential for the management of adrenal insufficiency, severe acute asthma and acute hypersensitivity reactions in paediatrics. Expand question 2 to test your knowledge.

Photo of a tablet cutter

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This question is from ‘Formulation matters: safe oral hydrocortisone use in children’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Analgesics

Paracetamol is one of the most used medicines in children; however, there are reports of adverse effects associated with unintentional overdosing. Expand question 3 to test your knowledge.

Poorly baby refusing to take medicine, crying

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This question is from ‘Paracetamol use in infants and young children’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Adverse drug reactions

Historically, children were believed to be at a lower risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than adults; however, it is now known that children are at an equal, if not greater, risk of ADRs compared with adults. Expand question 4 to test your knowledge.

Someone applying cream to a child's skin rash

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This question is from ‘Adverse drug reactions in children and young people’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Prescribing errors

Paediatric prescribing errors affect around 13% of paediatric prescriptions and can have lethal consequences. Expand question 5 to test your knowledge.

Someone signing an NHS prescription

Josh Sher / Science Photo Library

This question is from ‘Prescribing errors in children: why they happen and how to prevent them’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Vaccination

Despite the proven efficacy of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern, both in the UK and worldwide. Advice and recommendations from healthcare professionals are the most common reasons for vaccine-hesitant parents to reconsider. Expand question 6 to test your knowledge.

Physician vaccinating a young patient

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This question is from ‘How to address vaccine hesitancy‘. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Conditions

Dermatology

Childhood rashes are common and most will disappear without the need for treatment. Expand question 7 to test your knowledge.

DR P. MARAZZI / ISM / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

This question is from ‘Rashes in children’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Respiratory

Whooping cough causes a prolonged cough illness without fever, with more severe disease being more common in young people. Expand question 8 to test your knowledge.

Young girl with cold/flu symptoms

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This question is from ‘Whooping cough: public health management and guidance‘. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Eye health

Vision development begins prenatally and continues after birth. Expand question 9 to test your knowledge.

Young girl having her vision checked

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This question is from ‘Vision and eye health in children’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Parasites

While it is difficult to know how many cases there currently are in the UK, headlice infestation is common in school age children. Expand question 10 to test your knowledge.

Parent treating young girl for head lice

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This question is from ‘Head lice: resistance and treatment options’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Gastroenterology

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease occurs when the reflux of gastric contents causes adverse symptoms and/or complications. It is one of the most common causes of foregut symptoms across all paediatric age ranges. Expand question 11 to test your knowledge.

Baby boy crying with a bottle of milk in front of him

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This question is from ‘Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children: identification and management’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Symptom management

Fever is common in children and is a symptom seen in many conditions, including chickenpox. Expand question 12 to test your knowledge.

Very poorly girl in bed, parent holds forehead to test body temperature

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This question is from ‘Managing fever in children’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Infectious diseases

Scarlet fever is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Expand question 13 to test your knowledge.

Child with strawberry tongue

With permission from Skin Deep

This question is from ‘Everything you need to know about group A streptococcus infections’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Transitions and wellbeing

Transitions in care

The need to transition from paediatric to adult healthcare services is a challenge for many young people. Expand question 14 to test your knowledge.

Girl in wheelchair at hospital, with parent and doctor talking in background

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This question is from ‘Transition of care for young people moving to adult healthcare services’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.


Mental health

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services provides coordinated care across sectors. There are four tiers within CAMHS, offering different areas of specialism. Expand question 15 to test your knowledge.

Sad girl at home, suggestive of depression or unhappiness

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This question is from ‘Depression in children and young people: identification and management’. Please refer to the original article if you would like to know more.

Last updated
Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, March 2023, Vol 310, No 7971;310(7971)::DOI:10.1211/PJ.2023.1.176981

2 comments

  • Ebraheem Junaid

    Excellent quiz but not sure if the answers to question 7 (rashes) are correct. Can the PJ please review this?

    • Michael Dowdall

      Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The question has been reviewed to ensure that the answers accurately reflect the rashes pictured.

      Michael Dowdall - Executive Editor, Research & Learning

 

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