Which factor is associated with about a 3.3-fold increase in medication error risk in pediatrics?

• A. Receiving more than 5 prescribed medications
• B. Age under 2 years
• C. Non-clinical staff administration
• D. Use of herbal supplements

Answer: (A)

Increasing the number of medications a child is taking raises the chance of a medication error because complexity grows with each added drug. More meds mean more dosing calculations (often weight-based in pediatrics), more administration times to track, more opportunities for drug–drug interactions, and more handoffs between providers or settings. When a child is prescribed more than five medications, this complexity compounds enough to show a notable rise in errors—about a 3.3-fold increase in risk—because each additional medication adds potential for miscalculation, duplication, or miscommunication.

Other factors can contribute to errors, but the strongest and most consistent link to a large, quantified increase in risk is polypharmacy—receiving more than five prescribed medications. This doesn't negate that younger age or administration by non-clinical staff can play a role, or that herbal supplements can create interactions, but they don't carry the same demonstrated magnitude of impact in this context. To mitigate this risk, emphasize thorough medication reconciliation, simplify regimens when possible, verify dosing carefully, and involve pharmacists in transitions of care.