Difficulties Faced by Pediatric Nurses in Safe Medication Administration: A Literature Review

Safe medication administration is a multifaceted process that encompasses the storage, prescribing, verification, preparation, administration, documentation, and monitoring of drugs, all of which directly affect patient safety. Any disruption or deficiency in these steps may place patient safety at risk. In pediatric populations, physiological differences, narrow therapeutic ranges, and the lack of age-appropriate formulations further increase the likelihood of medication errors. The literature highlights that medication administration errors have serious clinical and economic consequences and represent a preventable patient safety issue. Ensuring safe medication practices is a fundamental component of pediatric nursing care; however, nurses continue to face numerous challenges in maintaining medication safety. These challenges may stem from insufficient knowledge and experience, inadequate working conditions, communication problems, limited collaboration between parents and nurses, and shortcomings in patient safety culture. This review identifies these multidimensional challenges and highlights the urgent need for interventions that strengthen nurses’ working conditions, enhance parent–nurse collaboration, and promote a positive safety culture. Practical implications include the development of structured education programs, supportive institutional policies, and evidence-based strategies to minimize error risks. Future research should focus on designing and implementing interventions that enhance pediatric medication safety, improve treatment outcomes, and ensure sustainable, high-quality care for children.